A MATCHING PAIR OF GEORGIAN FLINT "MUFF" PISTOLS

A MATCHING PAIR OF GEORGIAN FLINT

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$1,950.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2026-651

Diminutive flint pistols can typically range in date from as early as 1710 to around 1840. The pair offered here have center hung hammers and concealed triggers (which pop down when the pistol is cocked); this form appears in the later 18th century. The matching smooth bore pistols are engraved "LACY" within a typical British panoply of drums and flags on the left side and "LONDON" on the right. The engraving on the brass frames makes it manifest that they were made by Edward Lacy, a gunsmith and the founder of Lacy & Company who were active in London from 1781 to 1843. Lacy & Co. made a variety of arms from holster pistols to flintlock muskets many under Royal Government Contract. During the 19th Century he made double barrel, over and under, percussion pistols with swivel ramrods and belt hooks. In 1840, he partnered with another gunsmith by the name of "Reynolds" and began producing percussion pepperbox pistols under the name Lacey & Reynolds from 1840 to 1853.

In original flint, with top slide safeties, the completeness and condition of both pistols match brilliantly. The 1 3/4-inch iron "screw barrels" unscrew perfectly (total barrel lengths are 2 1/2 inches). The proof marks on the barrels, on the continuation in brass of the iron screw-off sections, are 3 and they identify the maker and date the firearm as post-1813 in manufacture. The iron screw-off portions of the barrels have a plum brown patina, and their caliber is about .50. The mechanics on both firearms are perfect. The walnut grips are slab sided and in excellent condition; both have a small inset brass wrist escutcheon. The respective and total length of the pistols is 6 1/8 inches. Flintlock "muff" pistols were very popular "concealed carry" weapons back in the day. The "muff" of course refers to the lady's fur accessory of the Victorian era so these pistols pre-dating that time by perhaps 25 years should be called small pistols! As such their use was not confined to the fairer sex but concealed by all sorts including military personnel. These beauties were originally sold cased or in a cloth bag and are museum worthy. [pe] [ph:L]

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