2563

PAIR OF ENGLISH SILVER MOUNTED OFFICERS PISTOLS.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
PAIR OF ENGLISH SILVER MOUNTED OFFICERS PISTOLS.
NSN. Brass .54 Cal. rifled with 8 groves x 11-7/8" long oct (5") rnd bbls swamped at muzzles. Front of octagon engraved with Tudor Roses with 1-1/2" long floral design at breeches. Left side of breeches are Birmingham Proof marks Crown / "P" in sunken oval over Crown / "V" in sunken oval. Both iron bbl tangs are finely engraved with Tudor Roses and floral designs. 5" locks are marked in a Riband scroll "WILSON" (William Wilson b. 1732 d. 1808, son of Richard, assumed control of firm upon father's death in 1766). Balance of locks are typically engraved with scrolls. Silver mounts consist of 2-rammer pipes, 6-1/2" long trigger guard with shell finial at front, Hallmarked Birmingham date letter "D" (1776), Rampant Lion, Anchor, makers stamp "CF" (Charles Freeth, registered 14/9/1773) all in sunken squares. Buttcaps chased with lion rampant and cannon within foliate rococo scrolls, and stamped with anchor of Birmingham, sovereign's head, and mark of silversmith Charles Freeth. Opened windows Sideplates are 4-1/2" long and an oval escutcheon with floral finial also carrying the silversmith mark of Charles Freeth. Stocks are 18" long and carry orig horn tipped ramrods and inlaid with silver wire starting behind breech above lock screw, running behind bbl tang to the tip of escutcheon final and back around to lock side terminating under the cock. This is a wonderful pair of British Officers Pistols made by a family of gunsmiths in England who had almost a complete monopoly on arms exported to America during the Colonial Period. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Bbls and locks are in very fine condition with strong rifling with light to medium pitting inside pans and associated lock areas. Silver work is in very fine condition with no losses or defects. Stocks are also in very good condition with minor handling nicks and one stress fracture running 1" behind rear rammer pipe on one pistol. Both stocks may have had some artificial coloring to darken the stocks. 4-49992 PAS80