QUALITY**Victorian Era Pair Of English Blanch London 16 Bore Percussion Traveling Pistols With Octagonal Damascus Steel Barrels & Accessories. Sn 23319 16 Bore/gauge Muzzleloader

**QUALITY**Victorian Era Pair Of English Blanch London 16 Bore Percussion Traveling Pistols With Octagonal Damascus Steel Barrels & Accessories. Sn 23319 - 23319

This is a quality made pair of cased Gentleman’s percussion traveling pistols by Blanch London. They have 8 ¾” Damascus steel octagonal sighted barrels and captive steel ram rods, original undamaged walnut stocks with chequered panel grips and inlaid void metal escutcheons, ornately engraved foliate engraved trigger guards, Dolphin hammers & actions which have platinum lines at each breach. The top of each barrel is signed London. The action plates are also signed with what looks like ‘I Blanch’ but is most likely the English gunmaker John Blanch (1784–1848) apprenticed to Jackson Mortimer in 1800, he later worked for the renowned John Manton before starting his own business in 1809. John Blanch & Son operated from 29 Gracechurch Street for 89 years, between 1826 and 1915. Established in 1809, the firm is one of London’s oldest gunmakers and was an early innovator in breech-loading technology). The barrels smooth bores have just staining & residue consistent with age & use. Their cocking and firing actions are crisp. Each action has a sliding safety bolt which work as they should. The pistols are complete with their associated Mahogany case. The case has a hinged lid the centre of which is has a brass escutcheon. The case has its original lock (with key that works as it should). The inside of the case is lined with felt and has compartments for accessories and the pistols. Accessories consist of a copper and brass powder flask by ‘G&GWH’ with double compartments with hinged covers for balls / patches, steel ball mould, tool, cleaning rod with brass jag, a quantity of moulded lead balls & a Joyce London percussion cap tin containing a quantity of percussion caps (not tested) and a white metal oil container with screw top lid and integral applicator tool. The price for this superb pair of cased pistols includes UK delivery. NB as antique percussion weapons no licence is required to own these pistols in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 23319

£3,950.00