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LOT 3221
Attractive Pair of Silver Mounted Officer’s Pistols by Wilson
-A) Wilson Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 64 cal., 8 inch round bbl., bright/silver finish,
walnut stock. This very attractive pair of British officer’s
pistols by Richard Wilson have London
hallmarks including the “u” dated code for 1755 on the trigger guard tangs, and a “JA” silversmith’s mark (Jeconiah Ashley) is on the second pistol. The hallmarks date the pistols to the French & Indian War in North America and the broader Seven Years’ War. Many
of the leaders of the Continental Army during the American Revolution gained experience during the
French & Indian War and owned similar pairs of English officer’s pistols. The smoothbore brass barrels have
“Wilson London” signed on top and London proof marks flanking Wilson’s “*/RW” maker’s mark on the left at
the breech. The rounded locks have guttered priming pans, sliding half-cock safeties, and are signed “Wilson” at
the centers. The furniture is all silver and features martial, floral, scroll, and mask patterns, the latter possibly representing Bacchus. The sideplate designs include the lion and unicorn from the coat of arms of the U.K. The baleen ramrods also have silver tips. The stocks have raised relief carved shell patterns.
CONDITION: Fine with attractively aged patina on the silver mounts and brass barrel, silver-gray patina
and minor pitting on the lock, generally crisp designs and markings, and mild wear. The stock is
very good and has some cracks, small chips, and mild wear. Mechanically fine.
B) Wilson Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 64 cal., 8 inch round bbl., bright/silver finish, walnut stock.
See “A”.
CONDITION: Fine with attractively aged patina on the brass and silver, silver-gray patina on
the lock along with minor pitting, and generally mild overall wear. The stock is very good
with some small chips, cracks between the entry pipe and trigger guard finial and the
finial and pommel, and mild wear. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Herbert Sutcliffe Collection; Peter Dale Ltd.;
Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 7,000 - 11,000
LOT 3222
Desirable Revolutionary War Era Pair of Silver Mounted British Flintlock Officer’s Pistols by Thomas Hadley
-A) T. Hadley
Flintlock Pistol -
NSN, 62 cal., 8 1/4
inch round bbl., bright/silver finish, walnut stock. On the pommel cap of the second pistol in this pair is a faint “D” Birmingham date code for 1776 which fits in the middle of Thomas Hadley’s period of running his father’s business in
Birmingham from the
latter’s death in 1766
until his own death in
1789. The three-stage,
smoothbore barrels have turned rings, Birmingham private proofs flanking a “TH” maker’s mark on the left at the breech, and hooked breeches that fit into the
grooved standing breeches. The lightly rounded locks are signed “T/HADLEY” at center. The furniture is all silver. The side plates feature scroll and martial designs. The trigger guard has floral engraving on the bow. The wrist escutcheons have classical martial trophy motifs, and the pommel caps have scroll engraving and mask studs. The top of the wrists also
feature raised relief shell carving and silver wire scroll inlays. The wood ramrods have light horn tips.
CONDITION: Fine with gray patina on the lock and barrel, aged patina on the silver, worn markings, mostly distinct designs on the silver,
chipped entry pipe, and general fairly mild wear. The stock is also fine and has moderate scratches and dings, a minor crack at the breech, and distinct carving. Mechanically fine. B) T. Hadley Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 62 cal., 9 1/4 inch round bbl., bright/silver finish, walnut stock. See “A”. CONDITION: Fine with gray patina on the lock and barrel, light twist patterns on the latter, dark aged patina on the silver, worn markings, mostly
distinct designs on the silver, chipped entry pipe, and general mild overall wear. The stock is also fine and has some small chips and repairs, mild scratches and dings, and distinct carving. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
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