A Pair Of 22-Bore Flintlock Brass-Mounted Holster Pistols

A Pair Of 22-Bore Flintlock Brass-Mounted Holster Pistols By R. Rowland Of London, Early 18th Century With three-stage sighted barrels now browned and each with rounded medial band at the breech grooved for sighting, grooved tangs, border engraved rounded locks (one cock and one steel replaced) each signed in capitals within foliate scrolls and decorated with strawberry foliage on the tail, figured moulded full stocks (one pistol with minor chips at the tail of the lock, the other with small repair on each side at the pommel) each carved with a scrolled swelling at the rear ramrod-pipe and a scrolled raised apron around the barrel tang, cast and chased mounts comprising pierced serpentine side-plates each with coiled foliated tail, pierced vacant escutcheons each with a mask above, border engraved spurred pommels (one spur repaired) each with grotesque mask cap and decorated with foliage on both sides, trigger-guards en suite and each with pierced foliate finial, turned baluster ramrod-pipes, and later steel-capped ramrods, one with steel worm (old wear and rust patination), indistinct London proof marks and barrelsmith's mark (2) 27.8 cm. barrels Footnotes: Provenance The Penrose Collection Robert Rowland (d. 1721) was first recorded in 1704 and obtained his freedom of the London Gunmakers' Company by redemption in April 1715. He probably set up in business on his own account in 1717, and specialised in breech-loading firearms, including two guns built for John Tournay, dated respectively 1718 and 1719, the latter in the Royal Collection at Windsor (inv. no. L247) For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing