A PAIR OF 22 BORE FRENCH SILVER-MOUNTED FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOLS BY LABORDE A PARIS, CIRCA 1760

A PAIR OF 22 BORE FRENCH SILVER-MOUNTED FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOLS BY LABORDE A PARIS, CIRCA 1760 with blued swamped barrels fitted with silver fore-sights on a bed of gold scrollwork, signed in gold on a long flat and decorated with a gilt panel and scrolls of foliage over the breeches (the bluing oxidised to brown, the gold with losses), engraved tangs, signed stepped bevelled locks engraved with scrollwork on the tails, figured walnut full stocks carved with scrolling foliage ahead of the trigger-guards and a panel of flowers and foliage about the barrel tangs (the fore-ends with chips and repairs), the butts inlaid with silver wire scrolls, full marked silver mounts cast and chased in low relief, comprising pierced side-plates with serpentine terminals, spurred pommels decorated with further designs en rocaille and fitted with classical portrait profiles enclosed by laurel wreaths on the caps, trigger-guards with foliate terminals, vacant escutcheons, a pair of ramrod-pipes, and original bone-tipped baleen ramrods with iron worm and slotted terminal respectively 39cm; 15 3/8in (2)