A Fine Cased Pair of Flintlock Duelling Pistols by W. Ketland.
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17” overall, 11” Damascus twist 20 bore octagonal sighted barrels engraved 'London' in gothic script along the top flat, Birmingham proofs, breeches engraved with a basket of fruit on the top flat between gold lines and with platinum lined touch hole Case hardened border engraved tangs decorated with foliage and with back sight, border engraved case hardened flat bevelled detented locks signed ‘W Ketland’ in scrolled gothic script and with foliage terminating in a swan's head at the stepped rounded tail, foliate engraved ring neck cocks, engraved blued safety catches, rainproof pans and rollers. Highly figured half stocks with chequered rounded butts, spur trigger guards with pineapple finial and decorated with a fox mask amid foliage on the border engraved bow. Silver vacant escutcheons, silver barrel bolt escutcheons and silver fore end caps, blued adjustable set triggers and original brass mounted ramrods each with threaded brass cap over the worm.
In their original lined and fitted brass mounted mahogany case with accessories comprising brass mounted two way powder-flask, ramrod with various threaded brass cleaning and loading attachments, leather flint wallet, steel bullet mould and oil bottle. The exterior of the lid with circular brass escutcheon incorporating a flush fitting carrying handle.
Circa 1815-20.
Very high quality pistols in very crisp condition, barrels have an old refinish. Back corner of case with minor old damage.
Provenance: The Richard Garrett Collection of Antique Firearms.
William Ketland & Co. are recorded in Birmingham between 1808 and 1831. The company had a London branch at 2 Copthall Buildings in 1818.