A Good Pair of Flintlock Officers Duelling Pistols by John Bass. 14 ½” overall 9 ¼” octagonal 16 bore sighted barrels, adjustable foresights, the top flats signed 'BASS LONDON' in a tablet, each with a gold line & adjustable rearsight. Engraved top tangs, gold lined touch holes, London proofs on the underside, plain bevel edged locks with stepped tails, signed 'Bass' below the semi waterproof pans, roller on toe of the frizzens, sliding safeties behind the swan necked cocks retained with bun nuts. Walnut half stocks with bag shaped chequered butts, trigger guards engraved with trophy of arms on bows with pineapple finials, & silver fore-end tips, double collar ramrod pipes, set triggers & under barrel ramrods, both with worm tip.
Circa1790
Pistols rebuilt in about 1825, when the locks were fitted with improved new pattern sears and tumblers. Cocks now retained by bun nuts. Stocks cut down to half stocks.
High quality pistols in good condition, actions very crisp.
John Bass, born Grantham, Lincs. 1761 In partnership with uncle, John Fox Twigg, as Twigg & Bass, 1788-90; on his own, at Carrington St. Piccadilly, 1790. Green Park Row, Piccadilly, 1793-4.