English Cased (PAIR) of Georgian Silver Mounted Brass Barrel Flintlock Holster Pistols By, PROBIN, London, #1538 Firearms
An Antique English Cased (PAIR) of Georgian High Quality Silver Mounted Brass Barrel Flintlock Holster Pistols by; PROBIN, London, circa. 1790 w/accessories. 7" .577 (regulation) two-stage octagon-to-round brass barrels w/(2) crossed septer proofs at breeches. Locks are fancy engraved and marked; "PROBIN". Very Fine Silver furniture made by; Hallmark; "C F" (Charles Freeth) and the Hallmark date letter; "P" (1790). Buttcaps and triggerguards w/full sets of Hallmarks. Each pistol has fine silver wire inlay around the barrel tangs (100% intact) and silver sideplates, one engraved; "Angel" and the other; "Tookie" which were probably the names the owner bestowed on these pistols; both stocks are solid with the exception of one pistol shows a large chip at its forend where wood is missing extending back 1.5" and measures approx. 1/2" at the widest point and worn down from being carried a long ways after being broken; each pistol retains a horn-tipped period ramrod, the silver mounts are crisp, unpolished, with a nice patina and have not lost their edge. Probin was a high quality and well-reguarded English gunmaker, and these are a fine pair. The silver wrist escutcheons are priod engraved; "TG" or "FY". An exceptional pair of pistols...
Accessories include; three-way powder flask, pewter oil bottle, turn screw, vent pick, bullet mold, patches/wads, balls and, a ram-rod w/cleaning jag/ball puller.
Note; The MANTON Box is of the period w/original green baize but not in our opinion not original to this pair of guns. The brass lid escutcheon is engraved; "R Cranford, Esqre".