A Rare Pair Of Central Italian 25-Bore Roman-Lock Holster Pistols With Brass Barrels, Locks And ...

A Rare Pair Of Central Italian 25-Bore Roman-Lock Holster Pistols With Brass Barrels, Locks And Mounts By Marcei, Mid-18th Century With slightly swamped barrels each with ridged tapering sighting flat along the top for most of its length and with recessed muzzle, border engraved brass tangs both decorated with foliage at each end, shaped border engraved flat bevelled locks each signed in capitals on a foliate scroll, decorated with a naked figure on the stepped tail and with further foliage on the brass pan-bolster, steel cock and steel, moulded figured full stocks (butts with minor chips) each carved with a stepped apron around the barrel tang, cast and chased mounts comprising side-plates each pierced with a grotesque mask between winged supporters each with a tail of elaborately scrolling foliage and supporting a garland, crowned escutcheons between lion supporters above a portrait bust and foliage, spurred pommels each with grotesque mask cap centred on lobed borders, the latter engraved with demi-figures and foliage on both sides, trigger-guards each with foliate finials and decorated with a Classical trophy on the bow, turned faceted ramrod-pipes, the rear ones each engraved with a Classical figure on the terminal, horn fore-end caps, brass triggers, and original brass-tipped wooden ramrods (2) 32.3 cm. barrels Footnotes: This maker appears to be unrecorded 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