A PAIR OF 18 BORE FLINTLOCK DUELLING PISTOLS BY JOVER, LONDON, CIRCA 1805-10, with lightly swampe

A PAIR OF 18 BORE FLINTLOCK DUELLING PISTOLS BY JOVER, LONDON, CIRCA 1805-10, with lightly swamped octagonal sighted barrels signed `Jover London` over the breeches, inlaid with gold lines and stamped with the barrelsmith`s mark of Edward Bate beneath, gold vents, engraved breech tangs fitted with standing back-sights, signed stepped bevelled locks engraved with flowers, fitted with detents and rollers, gold-lined semi rainproof pans (the comb, top-jaw and screw of one cock missing), figured walnut half-stocks, finely chequered strongly formed butts (one fore-end with a small chip), engraved blued steel spurred trigger-guards with pineapple finials, large silver shield-shaped escutcheons, silver barrel bolt escutcheons, silver fore-end caps engraved with flowers and border ornament, original ramrods with steel and bone tips respectively (one terminal detached), and remaining in untouched condition throughout, 38.5cm; 15 1/8in , (2). The Jovers are recorded in partnership with Edward Bate circa 1805-10. They made fine silver-mounted airguns. See H. L. Blackmore 1986, p.124.