Exquisite Pair Silver-Mounted Pair of British Flintlock Traveling Pistols by William Holden of London

Description:
NSN, .65 Caliber, 10" swamped half octagon barrels with very good, lightly pitted bores. This is a handsomely embellished pair of pistols that feature wedding band transitions on the barrels, tasteful floral scrollwork and geometric engraving on the locks and barrels, elaborately pierced martial panoply sideplates, grotesque butt caps, and lightly engraved trigger guards with acorn finials. The barrels and locks have a bright, pewter gray patina with some thin darker freckling in spots, as well as some light-moderate pitting on both barrels surrounding the vents. Both locks have the maker name engraved in a riband ahead of the cock: "W. HOLDEN" and clear London proofs are visible. The silver furniture has a mostly bright patina, but some mild amber-purple tarnish is starting to form, especially on the trigger guard bows and finials. The key-fastened walnut stocks have intricate wire inlays surrounding the barrel tangs, and wrist escutcheons in the shape of helmeted Britannia with her shield. There are numerous small handling marks and surface blemishes scattered about the thick, added oil finish, and one of the pistols has two wood repairs: one rectangular repair on the right side at the rear key, and replaced wood at the tip of the forend. Both locks are fully functional and lock firmly and positively at both half and full-cock, and both pistols retain their original horn-tipped ramrods. William Holden was a London maker who was in operation around 1790. These pistols are extremely nice examples of his work and are in very good-near fine condition overall. Antique;


Price: $4,795.00