Details
A FINE CASED PAIR OF 24-BORE EARLY FLINTLOCK DUELLING PISTOLS
BY GRIFFIN & TOW, LONDON, CIRCA 1778
With long two-stage sighted barrels signed at the breech within a rectangle and struck with Roscommon registration numbers, large gold-lined touch-holes, finely engraved tangs, signed finely engraved bevelled locks each retained by two side-nails and each with roller, blued steel-spring, top jaw and screw, figured walnut full stocks, flat-sided butts, engraved iron mounts including trigger-guards with acorn finial, and shaped side-plates, silver escutcheons engraved with initials HK, set triggers, and original horn-tipped ramrods: in relined fitted mahogany case (adapted) with accessories including three-way flask covered in mottled leather, the lid with flush-fitting carrying handle, London proof marks, barrelsmith's mark IG
17¾in.
BY GRIFFIN & TOW, LONDON, CIRCA 1778
With long two-stage sighted barrels signed at the breech within a rectangle and struck with Roscommon registration numbers, large gold-lined touch-holes, finely engraved tangs, signed finely engraved bevelled locks each retained by two side-nails and each with roller, blued steel-spring, top jaw and screw, figured walnut full stocks, flat-sided butts, engraved iron mounts including trigger-guards with acorn finial, and shaped side-plates, silver escutcheons engraved with initials HK, set triggers, and original horn-tipped ramrods: in relined fitted mahogany case (adapted) with accessories including three-way flask covered in mottled leather, the lid with flush-fitting carrying handle, London proof marks, barrelsmith's mark IG
17¾in.
Provenance
These pistols belonged to the King-Harman family of Newcastle, Ballymahon, County Longford, and Rochingham, Boyle, County Roscommon. They were given by Mr. King-Harman to Colonel Playfair of the Birmingham Proof House, who gave them to Charles E. Greener of Birmingham, who in turn passed them on to the late owner. A note in the case dated 27 November 1949 gives the above details
Literature
W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back, Griffin & Tow and W. Bailes, pp. 130-131, plates 61a, b
W. Keith Neal, Collecting Duelling Pistols, pp. 1-8, plate 3
W. Keith Neal, Collecting Duelling Pistols, pp. 1-8, plate 3