A Very Fine Cased Pair of Flintlock Duelling Pistols by Grierson, 15 ½” overall, 9 ¾” twist octagonal 32 bore sighted barrels each signed in capitals ‘Grierson Gunmaker To His Majesty’ along the top flat & decorated with a line of foliage at the rear of the breech, London proof marks. Gold lined touch holes each with central recess, border engraved tangs each with back sight & decorated with a martial trophy & foliage. Border engraved flat bevelled locks signed ‘Grierson’, with foliage on the stepped tail & a starburst behind the gold lined semi-rainproof pan, cocks each engraved ensuite, safety catches & rollers. Highly figured walnut full stocks each with rounded flat sided butt, blued steel trigger guards & turned ramrod pipes, the former each with engraved pineapple finial & decorated with a martial trophy & foliage on the border engraved bow, set triggers, original horn tipped ramrods, one with iron worm. In their original lined & fitted mahogany caddy topped case with original accessories including leather covered three-way powder flask stained in imitation of tortoiseshell, steel bullet mould, loading rod & pan brush, the interior of the lid with fine illustrated maker's trade label, the exterior with flush fitting brass carrying handle.
Pistols numbered No. 100, Circa 1800
A very fine pair of duelling pistols by one of the best makers, they have not been cleaned or polished, retaining some original polish. Both fore ends with minor period repairs.
As fine pair as you can find baring Manton’s and Egg’s.
Charles Grierson was a workman of John Manton. He took over Griffin and Tow’s premises at 10 Bond Street, London in 1793 and in 1841 was succeeded by his son John. He was Gunmaker to George III and granted English Patent No. 2566 in 1801 for his ‘Improved Taper Breech’.