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LOT 1234
Magnificent Presentation Pair of Exhibition Grade, Silver Mounted,
and Gold Inlaid Flintlock Horse Pistols by T. Dobson Made for an
Ottoman Sultan -A) T. Dobson Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 62 cal., 14 5/8 inch
part octagon bbl., bright/silver/gold finish, silver inlaid walnut stock. Thomas
Dobson was a pawnbroker, silversmith, jeweler, and gunmaker from 1795 to 1815 in London and a partner
in the firm Dobson & Baker from 1822 on. The latter continued to act as silversmiths but additionally worked as hardware men, merchants, and gun
dealers. In 1825 they began dealing in diamonds. During Dobson’s gunmaking career control of the Ottoman Empire changed multiple times. The
pistols feature part octagon, part round 14 5/8 inch smoothbore barrels, wedge-fastened stocks, and sliding bar safeties on the lock. The pistols
have unique gold-lined flash pans that pivot downward to provide access to the gold-chased vents. The barrels of both pistols are decorated with
gold inlays, fine engraving, and etched foliate designs. A gold band is inlaid around the barrel at the muzzle, and two additional gold bands are
inlaid on the barrel just ahead of the tang. Both pistols have three gold crescents and 16 six-pointed engraved and gold inlaid stars on both sides of
the barrel adjacent to the top flat. Among the inlays on the stocks are also stands of arms with triple crescents. The triple crescent motif is known to
have been used by the Ottoman Turks. Three golden crescents were at the center of several Ottoman flags from 1517 until 1843. The use of
crescents without an inset star are also known to be distinctly
Turkish. The use of
the inset star was
adopted during
the reign of Selim
III (1780-1807).
The tops of the
barrel flats are
each decorated
with a gold banner that is engraved “T DOBSON
No 35 CHISWELL STRT.” The middle of each barrel has an oval gold
inlay engraved
“LONDON”
surrounded by an
engraved sunburst
design.
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