A Rare Cased Pair of Transitional Flintlock Duelling Pistols by Jover. 15 ½” overall, 10” Spanish 25 bore two-stage sighted barrels each turned at the girdle, octagonal breeches each stamped with maker's mark on the top flat '.B.N.', gold lined touch holes, border engraved tangs each with back sight & decorated with flowering foliage, signed ‘Jover’ flat bevelled locks each with stepped tail & small dog catch engaging with the back of the cock. Figured full stocks , pineapple chequered rounded butts, steel mounts comprising border engraved butt caps each with a flower head centred on the retaining screw, trigger guards each with acorn finial & decorated with a flower head on the border engraved bow, turned ramrod-pipes, adjustable set triggers and horn tipped ramrods. In their original Chippendale style fitted figured mahogany case lined with original coarse baize with accessories including re mottled leather powder flask, loading rod & scissor bullet mould, the exterior of the lid with brass carrying handle of Chippendale form.
Circa 1770-2
Very fine early duelling pistols by one of the finest makers, pistols in very good condition. I have never seen a duelling pistol with dog catch safeties before, one minor fore end repair and one set trigger, A/F. case with minor veneer repairs and ‘S’ hooks removed. Corner box lids replaced.
William Jover was in partnership with Nock, Jover and Green in 1775. He is recorded at 83 Long Acre, London in 1773, & at 337 Oxford Street between 1777 and 1784. He is known to have made multi-shot firearms many of which were supplied to Indian nobility