John Probin (b.1785) was an English London based gunmaker recorded as having premises at 29 Lisle street, Leicester Square 1826-41, 70 Strand 1842, 11 Agar Street Strand 1843-46, 115 St Martins Lane 1847-51. He was gunmaker to the Prince Of Wales (see page 194 of British Gunmakers Vol.1 by Brown). This is a superb pair of matching English dueling pistols by John Probin. The pistols are in fine condition undamaged and all original with 9 ½” octagonal Damascus steel barrels & undamaged original walnut full stocks. Each barrel is signed by the maker ‘Probin Maker to His RH The Prince Of Wales’’. The smooth bores are near mint clean & bright. The actions both have ‘v’ notch plate rear sights and the barrels have brass blade fore sights. Both pistols have Swan neck hammers fitted with flints & safety bolts. The metal work is clean and undamaged. Each lock plate is signed ‘J.Probin’. The trigger guards have engraved decoration & Pineapple finials. The breech of each pistol have gold roundel inserts. The pistol's cocking & firing actions work crisply. Both pistols have their original wood ram rods with polished horn end caps and steel worm tips. The pistols are contained in their later wood case. The case with hinged lid is lined with felt and has compartments to fit the pistols and accessories (there are no accessories with these pistols). The case has a brass lock (key absent) and hook fasteners. The price for this quality pair of pistols includes UK delivery. NB as antique flintlock weapons no licence is required to own these pistols in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 22059:7
£7,450.00