Lot Essay
The trade card dates from 1788 to 1790. It seems probable that it was enclosed when the case was returned to the owner after the re-stocking
Details
A FINE CASED PAIR OF 29-BORE SILVER-MOUNTED FLINTLOCK DUELLING PISTOLS
BY JOHN TWIGG, LONDON, LONDON SILVER HALLMARKS FOR 1784
With signed twist octagonal sighted barrels each with a broad gold line at the breech and gold-lined touch-hole, finely engraved tangs, signed detented bevelled locks with roller, the safety-catch also locking the steel (one cock repaired), figured walnut full stocks (one replaced a few years after the date of manufacture), the other carved with a shell behind the barrel tang, deeply chequered butts with a dot in the centre of each diamond, finely engraved silver mounts including spurred pommels with stepped cap and trigger-guards with pineapple finial, set triggers, silver escutcheons and barrel-bolt escutcheons (one barrel-bolt replaced), and original horn-tipped ramrods: in original lined and fitted mahogany case with accessories including three-way flask covered in mottled leather, the lid with Twigg & Bass trade card, and carrying handle of Chippendale form, London proof marks, silver maker's mark of Moses Brent
15¼in.
BY JOHN TWIGG, LONDON, LONDON SILVER HALLMARKS FOR 1784
With signed twist octagonal sighted barrels each with a broad gold line at the breech and gold-lined touch-hole, finely engraved tangs, signed detented bevelled locks with roller, the safety-catch also locking the steel (one cock repaired), figured walnut full stocks (one replaced a few years after the date of manufacture), the other carved with a shell behind the barrel tang, deeply chequered butts with a dot in the centre of each diamond, finely engraved silver mounts including spurred pommels with stepped cap and trigger-guards with pineapple finial, set triggers, silver escutcheons and barrel-bolt escutcheons (one barrel-bolt replaced), and original horn-tipped ramrods: in original lined and fitted mahogany case with accessories including three-way flask covered in mottled leather, the lid with Twigg & Bass trade card, and carrying handle of Chippendale form, London proof marks, silver maker's mark of Moses Brent
15¼in.
Literature
W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back, Great British Gunmakers 1740-1790, pp. 151-2, plates 129-133