A Cased Pair Of 40-Bore Flintlock Duelling Pistols

A Cased Pair Of 40-Bore Flintlock Duelling Pistols By Bennett, Royal Exchange, London, Late 18th Century With rebrowned octagonal barrels each signed in full in capitals along the top flat and with silver fore-sight, tangs grooved for sighting, flat bevelled detented locks signed in capitals and each with safety-plate, and roller bearing on a ramp on the steel-spring, figured full stocks each with chequered flat-sided butt and fluted pommel, steel trigger-guards in the French manner and each with acorn finial, vacant steel escutcheons, turned ramrod-pipes, adjustable set triggers, and horn-tipped wooden ramrods, one with steel worm: in contemporary lined and fitted mahogany case (old moth damage, bottom of case split) with some accessories including brass-mounted powder-flask, and steel oil bottle of octagonal form, the interior of the lid with damaged Henry Nock trade label, the exterior with flush-fitting brass carrying handle, London proof marks and John Bennett's barrelsmith's mark 23.2 cm. barrels Footnotes: John 2 Bennett was free of the Cutlers' Company in 1765 of which he was elected Master in 1779 and 1793. He appears to have worked first with his father to whom he was apprenticed at 67 Threadneedle Street and then with Bennett & Ralph, Sword Cutlers, Goldsmiths & Jewellers at the same address between 1778 and 1781. He was a Sword Cutler & Gunmaker in his own right between 1781 and 1803, and the full address on his trade cards was 'At the Cross Daggers, No. 67 Threadneedle Street opposite the North Gate of ye Royal Exchange' 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