The Property of a Gentleman A PAIR OF 22 BORE SILVER-MOUNTED FLINTLOCK TURN-OFF PISTOLS BY LEWIS (1)

The Property of a Gentleman A PAIR OF 22 BORE SILVER-MOUNTED FLINTLOCK TURN-OFF PISTOLS BY LEWIS (1) BARBAR, LONDON, CIRCA 1730 with turn-off cannon barrels, rounded actions engraved with foliage top and bottom, signed beneath the pan, struck with London proof marks and the barrelsmith~s mark (one steel spring replaced), engraved tangs, figured walnut butts carved with foliate mouldings about the tangs, iron trigger-guards, one engraved with a star on the bow (the other with light pitting), silver mounts comprising openwork rococo side-plates involving an issuant demon mask, engraved spurred pommels, and escutcheons with the owner~s crest, perhaps a griffin~s head erased (rubbed) 13.7 cm; 5 3/8 in barrels (2) Lewis (1) Barbar, son of James, emigrated from France to avoid religious persecution in 1688 and is recorded ~in the King~s service circa 1690-7. He became Free of the Gunmakers Company by redemption and his proof piece, ~a very fine piece~ was passed in 1704. He became Master in 1718, was Gentleman Armourer to George I in 1717, George II in 1727 and was also gunsmith to the Dukes of Montague 1710-41. He was Contractor to the Ordnance 1723-40 and died in 1741.