Fabulous Pair of Silver-Mounted Flintlock Pistols Made for an Ottoman Potentate

Description

Featuring two-stage tapering 11 1/4″ barrels of approximately .65 caliber (some pitting);
the breech inscribed ‘London’, engraved with a crescent amid stamped stars, and
stamped with three rectangular trellised marks and a crowned “M” on the left side.
Rounded locks in the French manner, each inscribed ‘Wilson’ in script and featuring
semi-rainproof pan and roller. Figured hardwood full stocks profusely inlaid with silver
wire foliate scrollwork highlighted with pins and with silver pellets surrounding each lock.
Silver mounts cast and chased in relief with martial trophies and foliage; comprising
side-plates, escutcheons, spurred pommels, trigger-guards (one expertly repaired), turned
ramrod-pipes, and false ramrods en suite with the stocks. Turkish silver marks and
tughra, probably from the reign of Mahmud II (1808-1839). Mechanically very good with
strong mainsprings. Exceptional workmanship overall. Total length 17 3/4″.