A Rare Pair Of 80-Bore Flintlock D.B. Box-Lock Turn-Off Pistols

A Rare Pair Of 80-Bore Flintlock D.B. Box-Lock Turn-Off Pistols By Bunney, London, Birmingham Silver Hallmarks And Maker's Mark, Probably Of Charles Freeth, Circa 1775 With brass turn-off cannon barrels numbered '1' to '4' respectively, the border engraved part-octagonal breeches numbered to correspond, border engraved brass actions (some old wear) each engraved with rocailles and foliage on both sides, one side including the signature on a scroll, border engraved sliding steel cut-off on the left, border engraved cocks and steels, sliding trigger-guard safety-catches each engraved with a flower-head on the bow, figured rounded butts (one with old narrow split) each with swelling pommel and profusely inlaid with scrollwork and rocailles in fine silver wire (minor losses) heightened with engraved silver flower-heads, vacant border engraved silver escutcheons, and silver grotesque-mask butt-caps (steel parts polished bright), Tower private proof marks (2) 5.3 cm. barrels Footnotes: The maker is Joseph Bunney of Birmingham who is known to have marked his firearms 'London'. He is recorded at various addresses in Birmingham between 1766 and 1814 Cf. a similar but larger pistol sold in these Rooms, Antique Arms, Armour & Modern Sporting Guns, 17 May 2017, lot 315 This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing