A cased pair of 32-Bore Over & Under Percussion Pistols by Kavanagh of Dublin.
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10 ½” overall, 4 ½”sighted octagonal barrels, signed ‘11 DAME St DUBLIN’ and decorated with scrolling foliage at the breeches, pistols stamped with Irish registration marks, ‘L-D 1671’ and ‘L-D 1672’ with profusely engraved tangs, beautifully engraved back-action locks signed ‘KAVANAGH’ with beautifully engraved dolphin cocks with unusual re-curving finials. Walnut saw handled, half-stocked, cut with a band of chequering at the grip, flat butts also stamped with corresponding registration marks. In their original green baize lined case with all original accessories comprising powder flask, bullet mould, cleaning rod, with original trade label.
Circa 1845.
The pistols have "L-D 1671" and "L-D 1672" markings on the right side of the lower barrels and butts indicating they were registered in Longford sometime between August 1843 and November 1846 under the 1843 Registration Act.
In very good condition. William Kavanagh (Cavanagh) Jr. was a gunmaker at 11 Dame Street in Dublin in 1840-1849 and then moved to 12 Dame Street. His father was a well-respected Irish gunmaker and was active until his death in 1849 as was his brother James who died in 1870.
See "Cavanagh the Dublin Gunmakers: Circa 1817-1923" by David Stroud.