A Very Fine Pair of Flintlock Duelling Pistols by William Smith. 15 ¼” overall, 9 ¼” octagonal 22 bore sighted barrels with Damascus twist, signed ‘W Smith Lisle Street London’ on the recessed patent breech with one platinum line & lined touch hole, foliate engraved case hardened tang, border engraved case hardened detented bolted stepped lock signed ‘William Smith Princes St .London’ decorated with engraved foliage. Rainproof pans, safety catch & roller, cock engraved en suite with the lock. Figured walnut half stock with chequered grip with flat butts, vacant silver escutcheon, trigger guard decorated with symmetrical foliage on the border engraved bow, numbered ‘1998’, silver barrel bolt escutcheons & fore end cap, original horn tipped ramrods, one with a worm.
A very high quality pair of pistols in very fine condition, most original finish remaining. Numbered 1998 on the lock barrel, breech and trigger guards.
Number 1998 Circa 1820
William Smith was at Princes Street 1817-24. He was appointed Gunmaker-in-Ordinary to the Prince Regent in 1817, & to George IV in 1820. He probably started his serial numbers at 1000.
William Smith, father of Samuel and Charles Smith who would go on to produce some of the finest English percussion firearms.