Pair of French & Indian/American Revolutionary War Period English Flintlock Officer's Pistols by Richard Wilson, ca. 1750

Round, three-stage, baluster-turned, 7", .63 caliber, pin-fastened, slightly flared, smoothbore barrels with lightly scroll-engraved tangs and clear London barrel addresses, on the breech-tops. The left sides with two (2), early, London Gunmaker Co. proof marks and a "*/R.W.” (Richard Wilson) maker's mark. Early type, rounded, scroll engraved lockplates with hound's-tooth border-engraving, bridle-less powder-pans and both their matching rounded gooseneck hammers: the frizzens with engraved backs, en suite. Retain their original lock components with trefoil finial frizzen-springs, strong mainsprings, sharp engraving, 85%+ polish and some light wear and scattered light pitting/discoloration. Engraved under the powder-pans with the maker's signature, "WILSON". Richard Wilson I (1703-1766) of London, UK was a noted Gunsmith and Contractor to the Board of Ordnance from 1746 and the Hudson Bay Co. 1730-1756 (for more details, please see Blackmore pg. 204, 214 & 215). Molded and carved walnut fullstocks of classic Georgian period design with pronounced bulbous butts and simple raised-carved moldings around the locks, sideplates and barrel tangs. Retain fine untouched surfaces with minor handling marks, signs of use and scattered wear: one with a old missing sliver of wood, along its left fore-end tip. The stocks with 85%+ finish, generally sharp contours and very good carving. Lightly engraved, martial theme, brass mounts of classic mid-18th century, English form: the stirrup-type butt-caps with hound's-tooth engraved long side terminals and rounded pommel-caps: finely embossed grotesque mask pommel-caps. Embossed martial theme sideplates with Stands of Arms, Drums, Cannons, etc. The embossed and engraved trigger-guards with acanthus leaf forward finials and lightly engraved bows. Two (2) barrel-form ramrod pipes with baluster-turned ends; and the scallop-shell embossed, acanthus leaf finial, wrist escutcheons with engraved “I*E” owner’s initials. Complete with their brass-tip wooden ramrods. In overall fine original flintlock condition. The barrels with a smooth steel-gray patina, sharp proof/maker’s marks and some light scattered pitting, wear and expected discoloration: fine touch-holes. Matching locks with 85%+ polish, crisp engraving and in mechanically functional order with strong mainsprings and fine timing. Very nice stocks with 85%+ finish, sharp contours, some minor handling marks, minor old repairs, signs of use and abrasions. A very nice pair of French & Indian/Revolutionary War Period English, flintlock, Officer's Pistols, ca. 1750 of classic Georgian Form. Made by the esteemed London Gunsmith, Richard Wilson I, who was a noted London gunsmith and maker of Military Arms, during the second quarter of the 18th century. Overall length, 13 1/2".

Copy and photos from Ambrose Antiques.