3381 GOOD PAIR OF BRASS CANNON BARRELED SILVER MOUNTED

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,500.00 USD
Estimated at 3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOLS BY T. KETLAND & CO. Cal. 70. S# 259479 & S# 259480. Thomas Ketland is known to have been working in Birmingham circa 1760 into the early 19th Century. He was quite prolific and produced a full range of good to fine quality weapons. This handsome pair of pistols have 8" brass barrels with octagonal breech sections that transfer through rings to flared cannon turned muzzles. Breeches, fitted with plain breech plugs have some scroll engraving and are stamped with London black powder proofs along with "TK" under a crown. Locks with chamfered plates having rebated tails are fitted with high breasted serpentine cocks, semi-waterproof pans and bridled roller frizzens with rollers on feather springs with bulbous finials. Locks are engraved with feather bursts and line borders. "T. KETLAND & Co." is on each lockplate. European walnut stocks extend to within 1" of muzzles and are pinned to barrels. Silver furniture is hallmarked for Birmingham, Sterling and with date code "B" (1774) and maker's mark "CF" (Charles Freeth). Furniture consists of knob grip caps with side spurs having grotesque face butts, double beaded trigger guards with acorn finials, pierced side plates of armorial design and crestplates at tops of grips which continue that theme, are surmounted with helmets. Furniture is highlighted by floral engraving. Hickory ramrods with horn tips mount through beaded silver pipes and matching thimbles. The numbers "259479" and "259480" are stamped on the left sides of stocks and are possible Irish registration numbers. CONDITION: fine. Barrels which show old polishing presently have a mustard patina; engraving is considerably softened. Locks are a mottled silver gray. Stocks retain most old, possibly original, finish. Silver is fine with some marks and shows moderate wear. Stocks are sound without noted cracks or repairs. Bores are corroded. Locks and frizzens are fine. (01-21855/MGM). ANTIQUE. $3,000-5,000.