Original British Early 18th Century Queen Anne Flintlock Silver Mounted Pistol Pair by Gandon of London – American Revolutionary War Officer Pistols Original Items

Original Item: One-of-a-kind pair. These are the type of pistols that would have been used by both British and American officers alike during the Revolutionary War!

Gunmaker Peter Gandon is listed as working in London between 1713-1743 and was the son of Peter Gandon. According to “Gunmakers of London” by Blackmore, his premises were located behind St. Martin’s Church and were searched by the Gunmakers Co. 1698. Peter was granted naturalization 1710. Later he is listed at the corner of Coventry St. & Oxendon St. in 1714; and at Cross Guns, Coventry St., 1731. He became free of the Gunmakers Co., by redemption in 1720 and is shown as a contractor to Ordnance in 1743.

These pistols likely date between 1720-1730 and feature three-stage removable 7 inch .65 caliber smoothbore barrels with canning muzzles and floral engraving around the flats at the breech. Both are marked with indistinct proof marks on the frames, which are partially covered by the trigger guard finials.

The locks are located on the right sides of the actions, and beneath the frizzen springs are engraved GANDON LONDON. Both feature early iron trigger guards, with the other furniture of sterling silver. The side plates feature a winged griffon with foliate motifs at the tails. The pommel caps are early style grotesque masks with acanthus leaf finials.

The silver wrist escutcheons are symmetrical and both are engraved with a prancing antlered deer. One pistol has an early iron repair above and below the wrist escutcheon, securing a period crack to the wrist. This wrist repair is crude and appears to be American, which would be consistent with the condition of the pistols, that have seen use and retain a dark patina.

Another interesting feature of these pistols is the serrated frizzen faces. The walnut grips have bulbous pommels and feature symmetrical acanthus leaf carving in relief around the barrel tangs.

Both barrels are removable. All iron components retain a dark heavy patina and show scattered areas of heavier patina. One trigger guard finial is absent and appears to have been broken off during the period of use.

Both locks are in their original flintlock configuration and function properly. Markings are excellent. Some marring to trigger guard bows and some of the screws on both pistols. Silver shows wear consistent with heavy use and retains a dark unpolished patina. Both grips have small areas of wood loss around pommel caps, and both have been cracked through the wrists and actions.

This is a very nice, as found, pair of early English pistols, that probably came to America in the late 18th Century and remained here. These are the type that would have been used by both British and American officers alike during the Revolutionary War.