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AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOKS BRITISH GUNMAKERS: THEIR TRADE CARDS, CASES AND EQUIPMENT
1760-1860 AND BRITISH GUNMAKERS: MESSRS GRIFFIN & TOW AND W. BAILES 1740-1790 BOTH BY NEIL & BACK
LOT 1275
Exceptional Early Documented Cased Pair of Engraved Griffin & Tow Flintlock Dueling Pistols from the Famous W. Keith Neal Collection -A) Griffin & Tow Flintlock Dueling Pistol - NSN, 29 bore cal., 9 3/4 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. This very fine pair of early dueling pistols date to circa 1780, towards the end of the 1772-1782 partnership between Joseph Griffin and John Tow, and remain
in extraordinary original condition. Joseph was the son of Benjamin Griffin, the father and son both being numbered amongst the finest British gunmakers of the 18th century. The pistols are published in W. Keith Neal, “Pistols for Two,” pp. 159-160 (illustrated); W. Keith Neal & D.H.L. Back, “British Gunmakers: Their Trade Cards, Cases and Equipment 1760-1860,” plate 367 and W. Keith Neal & D.H.L. Back, “Messrs Griffin & Tow and W. Bailes,” pp. 132- 3, plates 62 a & b. With browned swamped octagonal barrels signed “GRIFFIN & TOW. LONDON” on the top flat within rectangular engraved borders toward the breech, engraved with bands of beadwork at the breeches, and with blued blade front sights and notch standing rear sights. The upper left faces of the barrels at the breech ends are struck with London proof marks and the maker’s mark of Joseph Griffin. Casehardened standing breeches engraved with rococo ornament and flat beveled detented locks retained by two side-nails, engraved with further rococo ornament, signed “GRIFFIN & TOW” beneath the priming pans and with stepped tails, raised priming
pans and blued frizzen springs with rollers. Casehardened trigger plates with single set triggers. Iron furniture comprising blued ramrod pipes, trigger guards with acorn finials and border engraved blank escutcheon plates at the wrists, and casehardened solid sideplates, the furniture engraved with further rococo ornament. Well-figured walnut full length stocks with flat-sided butts. “A” has an original wooden horn tipped ramrod with worm. The “B” ramrod is without a worm. In fitted oak case lined in green baize, with accessories comprising two-way powder flask wrapped in red leather, iron bullet mold, cleaning rods, a small quantity of cast lead balls and textile patches, and a key for the case. One partition lid with W. Keith Neal Collection tag. The case contains two hand annotated notes in Keith Neal’s handwriting, each stating “Private Collection”, one of the notes is on a W. Keith Neal
business card.
CONDITION: Very fine and in a remarkable state of preservation given the pair are approximately 240 years
old. The barrel retains 75% original browned finish, the standing breech, lock and side plate each with 40-50% faded original casehardened finish, and furniture with 90% original deep blued finish. Engraving crisp and clear throughout. Stock with attractive figure pattern and only slight age related storage and handling blemishes.
Mechanically excellent. Case is very good as relined with some damage to lid lining where the exterior handle is mounted. Accessories are good, some age wear, staining and damage to the powder flask.
B) Griffin & Tow Flintlock
Dueling Pistol - NSN, 29
bore cal., 9 3/4 inch octagon bbl.,
brown/casehardened/blue finish,
walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel
retains 75% original browned finish.
The standing breech, lock and side
plate each retains about half of the faded original casehardened finish. The furniture has 90% original deep blued finish remaining. The engraving is crisp and clear throughout. Stock with attractive figure pattern and only slight age related storage and handling blemishes. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The W. Keith Neal Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 25,000 - 35,000
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