May 27, 2020 Founders & Patriots
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/27/2020
This magnificent pair of English officer's pistols date circa 1760. English and American officers often purchased and carried English silver-mounted pistols, as they had a reputation for being high quality and attractive. Both pistols have round tapered barrels with swamped muzzles and hooked breeches. The barrel tangs are engraved and both barrel have private English view and proof marks, along with a "TP" cartouche for Thomas Page, on the left side of the breeches. There are relief panels on top, near breeches, one with partially visible engraving "T. PAGE NORWICH". Both barrels have gold-lined touch holes and are fastened with keys. The early lockplate are rounded and have thin relief-chased borders, centers engraved with "PAGE" surrounded by scrolls. Both locks have ornate finials on the frizzen springs. The ornate solid silver mounts feature extremely high quality chased and engraved designs. The large grotesque mask pommel caps are surrounded by foliate designs. The wrist escutcheons feature military motifs, including a helmet, cannon, and flags, they are engraved with a gargoyle head in the centers. The s-shaped sideplate form a diamond in the center and feature high relief foliate scrolls, drums, and instruments. Plain silver ramrod ferrules. Triggerguards have a relief chased flower on the bows within a diamond on a stippled ground. The front finials terminate in a display of arms in relief, including a helmet, scimitar, cannon and flags. Both pistols have attractive form and are stocked in figured walnut and profusely inlaid with silver wire and silver pins. There are well-executed relief foliate motifs around both barrels tangs and relief panels terminating in teardrops around the locks and sideplates. Silver inlaid designs include scrollwork on both sides of the forends, scrollwork on both sides of the grips, detailed shells behind the ramrod entry ferrules, and stands on arms just above the pommel cap tangs. The arms motifs center around a drum and include crossed cannons and flags. Both pistols are complete with their original horn ramrods with horn end caps and iron worms attached to the tips. CONDITION: The barrels have been cleaned at some time and retain a lightly pitted bright surface overall, heavier in some areas with scattered dark spots. Proofmarks are very good and inscription on top of one barrel is worn away. Locks are in their original flintlock configuration and retain a light grey patina with some light freckling, both function properly and have no replacement components. Silver is unpolished and retains a pleasing pewter patina. Nearly all of the wire inlay is present and original with the exception of a couple minor pieces. Stocks retain a dark undisturbed patina with some scattered marks from use and thin age cracks and fractures. One pistol has a repaired crack around the wrist with two tiny slivers replaced against the rear triggerguard tang. A very high quality attractive pair of English officer's pistols.
Caliber/Bore
(Both) .65 Smoothbore
Model
(Both) Flintlock Officer