Lot Essay
The barrels are imitations of Turkish originals of the type captured at the time of the relief of the siege of Vienna in 1683
Details
A PAIR OF 25-BORE FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOLS
FLEMISH OR AUSTRIAN, CIRCA 1740
With etched twist counterfeit Turkish barrels each with encrusted silver decoration at the muzzle and breech, the latter with arabic-style inscription in gold and originally set with a gem-stone (missing), silver fore-sights, engraved tangs numbered 1 and 2 respectively, rounded locks each engraved with a trophy of arms and struck on the inside with a mark 'i.B', raised pans each with water-drains (one steel-spring an old replacement), moulded figured walnut full stocks inlaid with silver wire scrollwork behind the rear ramrod-pipe, a crescent moon and star opposite the lock, and with a Turk's head behind the barrel tang, iron mounts engraved with trophies of arms, including trigger-guards and spurred pommels, horn side-nail washers, horn fore-end caps (one replaced), and later horn-tipped ramrods
19¾in. (2)
FLEMISH OR AUSTRIAN, CIRCA 1740
With etched twist counterfeit Turkish barrels each with encrusted silver decoration at the muzzle and breech, the latter with arabic-style inscription in gold and originally set with a gem-stone (missing), silver fore-sights, engraved tangs numbered 1 and 2 respectively, rounded locks each engraved with a trophy of arms and struck on the inside with a mark 'i.B', raised pans each with water-drains (one steel-spring an old replacement), moulded figured walnut full stocks inlaid with silver wire scrollwork behind the rear ramrod-pipe, a crescent moon and star opposite the lock, and with a Turk's head behind the barrel tang, iron mounts engraved with trophies of arms, including trigger-guards and spurred pommels, horn side-nail washers, horn fore-end caps (one replaced), and later horn-tipped ramrods
19¾in. (2)