Originally ordered for stock, this pair of pistols was shipped, in their ‘box”, on May 16, 1839 to the London Agency at 170 New Bond St. Now, 180 years later, these pistols are being offered for sale by this firm. Only this time, at Westley Richards’ U.S. Agency.
A “boxed” or cased set of pistols like this were a sign of status and they were finished to a very high standard. The locks, hammers, trigger guards and breach blocks are decorated with a traditional acanthus scroll engraving and the maker’s name is engraved on each lock plate.
The small sized, bar action hammer locks have flat plates and are fitted with flat faced serpentine hammers with stylized dolphin heads and back sliding safeties.
Each pistol has 8” twist octagon barrels that are engraved with the maker’s name on the top flats. They have V-notch rear sights on the breach irons and small brass beads at the muzzles. The barrels are fitted with bridled steel ramrods that still operate flawlessly.
Lightly figured European walnut stocks have “bag” shaped grips and forends that extend to within 5/8” of the muzzle. The stocks have very nice flat top checkering, are iron mounted and have rectangular crest plates engraved with a “rising eagle”.
Overall the pair’s condition is excellent and the guns remain completely original. The locks and hammers display strong amounts of their color hardening and most of the original brown is left on the barrels that have excellent bores. The stocks are also sound, crack free and in superb original shape retaining almost all their original oil finish. The forearm wedges and triggers still show a vivid charcoal blue and almost all the original black remains on the trigger bows.
The pistols are paired in the original mahogany case that is also in very nice original condition still retaining the original trade label and well preserved green baize.
This pair of pistols is another great example of the high-quality arms Westley Richards has produced and sold for over two hundred years.
Ben Arrowmith on May 11, 2019 at 12:56 am
What a lovely pair of pistols in excellent condition.
Peter Buckley. on May 12, 2019 at 7:49 am
LD
What a fabulous find that was, a cased pair of percussion 16 bore “Manstopper” pistols.
The term Manstopper is used because of the bore size, it says what it means!, and being sighted gives a chance of a well aimed shot.
The condition is very honest, no signs of repair or refinish and being cased just adds to the authenticity and provenance.
They will soon be residing in a passionate collectors gun room, “fabulous find”.
What’s the next Historical find I wonder, I’ll wait and see!
Best regards
Peter.