A VERY RARE PAIR OF 'FLINTLOCK' AIR PISTOLS
THE BLAIR CHARITABLE TRUST, REMOVED FROM BLAIR CASTLE, BLAIR ATHOLL, SCOTLAND
A VERY RARE PAIR OF 'FLINTLOCK' AIR PISTOLS

BY EDWARD BATE, LONDON, CIRCA 1770

Details
A VERY RARE PAIR OF 'FLINTLOCK' AIR PISTOLS
BY EDWARD BATE, LONDON, CIRCA 1770
With smoothbore brass barrels each set within a two-stage brass air reservoir, the latter sighted and signed and engraved with a band of beadwork on the rounded rear section, brass tangs each incorporating a rear sight and engraved with rococo ornament, signed flat bevelled locks each engraved with further rococo ornament, figured walnut full stocks (one fore-end chipped) each carved in low relief with a rococo shell behind the barrel-tang, cast and chased brass mounts of unusually fine quality including trophy of arms side-plates each involving differing flags, and engraved spurred pommels each with aperture for the pump, one retaining its detachable brass cap, and original horn-tipped ramrods
19 ½ in. (49.5 cm) overall

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

Sign in
View condition report

Lot Essay

Cf. two similar pistols sold from the W. Keith Neal Collection, Christie's, King Street, 9 November 2000, Lot 237 and 25 October 2001, Lot 231, and one in the Royal Armouries, Leeds (inv. no. XII. 3833).

More from European Noble & Private Collections

View All
View All