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BY JOHN TWIGG, LONDON, LONDON SILVER HALLMARKS FOR 1777
Details
A Fine Cased Pair Of 28-Bore Silver-Mounted Flintlock Holster Pistols
By John Twigg, London, London silver hallmarks for 1777
With swamped twist octagonal sighted barrels with second form of signature on the top flat at the breech and a band of engraved beadwork at the rear, gold-lined touch-holes, shaped tangs finely engraved with a flower and scrollwork, all on a hatched ground, detented bevelled locks each retained by a single side-nail, with second form of signature, stepped tail, engraved safety-catch also locking the steel, gold-lined pan, and roller bearing on a ramp fitted to the steel-spring, figured walnut full stocks (minor bruising) finely carved in relief with a shell behind the barrel tang, full cast and chased silver mounts in rococo taste, pierced side-plates, spurred pommels each with grotesque mask cap, engraved trigger-guards with floral and foliate finial, escutcheons engraved with owner's crest, blued trigger-plates and set triggers, and original horn-tipped ramrods, one with worm (some scattered minor surface pitting): in lined and fitted mahogany case with accessories including two-way flask recovered with red leather, the lid (replaced) with illustrated trade label of Henry Nock, Ludgate Street, for circa 1787, and flush-fitting carrying handle, London proof marks, silver maker's mark of John King
15¾in. (40cm.)
By John Twigg, London, London silver hallmarks for 1777
With swamped twist octagonal sighted barrels with second form of signature on the top flat at the breech and a band of engraved beadwork at the rear, gold-lined touch-holes, shaped tangs finely engraved with a flower and scrollwork, all on a hatched ground, detented bevelled locks each retained by a single side-nail, with second form of signature, stepped tail, engraved safety-catch also locking the steel, gold-lined pan, and roller bearing on a ramp fitted to the steel-spring, figured walnut full stocks (minor bruising) finely carved in relief with a shell behind the barrel tang, full cast and chased silver mounts in rococo taste, pierced side-plates, spurred pommels each with grotesque mask cap, engraved trigger-guards with floral and foliate finial, escutcheons engraved with owner's crest, blued trigger-plates and set triggers, and original horn-tipped ramrods, one with worm (some scattered minor surface pitting): in lined and fitted mahogany case with accessories including two-way flask recovered with red leather, the lid (replaced) with illustrated trade label of Henry Nock, Ludgate Street, for circa 1787, and flush-fitting carrying handle, London proof marks, silver maker's mark of John King
15¾in. (40cm.)
Provenance
Anon sale, Phillips, Son & Neale, London, 15 September 1982, lot 229 (£5,060 including premium, to Finer)
For an almost identical (uncased) pair of pistols see W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back, Great British Gunmakers 1740-1790, p. 143, plates 121-2
For an almost identical (uncased) pair of pistols see W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back, Great British Gunmakers 1740-1790, p. 143, plates 121-2
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.