A Fine Pair of Flintlock Silver Mounted Holster Pistols by W Turvey. 14” overall, 8 ¼” swamped copper alloy barrels each turned & engraved with acanthus at the girdle, engraved ‘HOLBORN LONDON’ along the top flat in front of scrolling foliage, struck with London proof marks & unidentified barrelsmith’s mark, ‘IB’ crowned, border engraved tangs each decorated with foliate scrolls. Border engraved flat bevelled copper alloy locks each signed ‘Turvey’ in capitals within rocailles & foliage, a scallop shell and foliage on each tail, cocks engraved with foliage en suite. Moulded figured full stocks each with rounded flared butt & inlaid with a silver wire scallop shell & scrollwork around the barrel tang, cast & chased mounts comprising side plates each pierced with foliage centred on a scallop shell resting on a draped pedestal, vacant trophy of arms escutcheons, grotesque mask caps, trigger guards each with acorn finial & engraved with a flower head on the bow. Triggers each with a scroll at the back, turned ramrod pipes, horn tipped ramrods, probably original, one with iron worm.
Circa 1750
Very attractive pistols in good condition, one retaining screw an old replacement, one pistol with old inset repair on one side at the girdle.
Probably by William (II) Turvey of Holborn who was apprenticed to George Turvey in 1742, & was free of the London Gunmakers’ Company in 1750.