AN ANTIQUE gun thought to have been found by children playing in a stream 20 years ago has been sold.

The 18th century dragoon's flintlock pistol was up for sale at Peter Wilson's Auctioneers in Nantwich yesterday.

The seller, a retired buyer for Wedgwood in Barlaston, said he inherited the weapon from a friend who told him it had been recovered by youngsters playing in a stream in fields near Abbey Hulton. Thinking it was a toy, they pulled it from the water.

The pistol, dated at around 1788 to 1790, was expected to sell for around £100 to £200. Although it did not attract much interest as it went under the hammer, an anonymous military memorabilia enthusiast contacted the auction house following the sale and bought it for £90.

Valuer and auctioneer Chris Large, who specialises in ceramics and gunnery, said there were signs to suggest the gun had been fired before possibly being thrown into the stream.

The 27-year-old said: "I think it's been underwater for a bit longer than 50 years, but it's so hard to say. It could just be a coincidence, but the corrosion suggests the gun had been fired before going into the stream."

The gun was in poor condition because of the time spent in the water. A similar pistol in mint condition might have sold for up to £1,000.

Chris added: "If you get one in mint condition, it's capable of firing. Anyone can buy one without a licence, provided they are held only as an ornament.

"You've only got one shot with these guns and it's inaccurate. It's a pretty useless weapon. The ignition systems are all obsolete. With the amount of smoke that comes out of these guns when you fire them, you don't know if you've hit your target."

Described as a standard military pistol, the gun was most likely made in London.

The lock is faintly marked with the stamp "GR", representing King George III.

The initials "WB" are inscribed on the stock, indicating the gun manufacturer, and the arrow ordnance mark confirms the gun was made for royal purpose.

"It would also have had 'tower' on the lock, but that's gone due to the corrosion," added Chris.

"So many sayings relate to this type of gun. 'Keep your powder dry', 'lock, stock and barrel', 'flash in the pan' and 'going off half-cocked' all originate from this.

"It would be nice to work out the regiment, but unfortunately there's no regimental markings.

"In those days they just worked off the volume of shots. Everyone stood in a big line and advanced and shot at each other until one side won. It would've been carried by an officer or by someone on a horse, not a standard trooper, at around the time of the Peninsular War. If you watch Sharpe on TV you'll see loads of these all over the place."

Local historian Fred Hughes said: "It sounds like a bit of a domestic treasure, either lost or deliberately lost.

"It sounds to me as though whoever's bought it got good value for money."