October 30, 2019 The Collection of Steve & Marcy Hench
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2019
This fine pair of sergeant's grade pistols are of the Revolutionary War period. Both have swamped smoothbore steel barrels marked "LONDON" on tops, breeches stamped with British view and proof marks, as well as "IJ" for maker John Joyner. Joyner had a shop in London between 1761 and 1780. The rounded lockplate are marked "IOYNER" in the centers and engraved at the tails with scrolls. Cocks are later replacements done during the period of use, pans are unbridled. Brass furniture including the full-stirrup pommel caps, bottoms engraved with a flower. The triggerguards are also engraved and resemble the Elliot Pattern 1759 Light Dragoon pistol guards. Symmetrical wrist escutcheons with vacant inscriptions and detailed borders. Pierced ribbon sideplates engraved with tooling and foliate designs. Plain walnut stocks with relief-carved shells around barrel tangs, both with original wooden ramrods with brass caps. Stocks were stamped with later collection numbers "1512" and "15131" above lockplates on right sides. This is probably from the early and well-known Brooks Collection, compiled in the late 19th century. CONDITION: Both barrels retain a somewhat polished surface with some scattered dark spots, markings are very good. Locks are in their original flintlock configurations and retain a grey patina with traces of an old charcoal blued finish. Brass retains a mustard patina with a few scattered marks from use. Stocks show some minor age cracks, marks from use, and one pistol with a small area on loss below front of lockplate. A very nice pair of officer's pistols of the type that would have been used here during the Revolution.
Caliber/Bore
.60 Smoothbore, Both