Original French and Indian War Seven Years War British Pair Brass Barrel Silver Mounted Flintlock Blunderbuss Pistols by Grice of London Original Items

Original Items: One of a Kind Set. This is a lovely pair of French and Indian War (Seven Years’ War 1756 – 1763) era Flintlock pistols by WILLIAM GRICE, who worked in London from 1740 to 1780. They are fitted with brass 8 inch barrel Blunderbuss barrels, together with engraved brass lock plates, each marked W. GRICE in an engraved banner. All mountings are sterling silver, including the ornate side plates, and there are hallmarks on the butt caps, though they are not legible. The fine walnut stocks are decorated by intricate silver wire inlay and are quite attractive. The brass barrels are both marked LONDON and WG, with the correct London CROWN / P proof and CROWN / V viewed markings.

Both pistols measure 14 inches in overall length, and fit very nicely into the custom made wooden case, which measures 18″ x 7 3/4″ x 3 1/2″. The case is lined in blue-green felt, which is retained quite nicely. Inside the case are accessories, including a bullet mold and powder flask, the latter of which was made by JAMES DIXON & SONS of SHEFFIELD. The powder flask can be adjusted for 3/8, 4/8, or 5/8 DRAMS of powder. The case also has two lidded compartments for spare flints and lead balls. One of these has a large brass cleaning jag and a small brass tool, which we cannot identify.

The inside lid of the case bears a trade label which reads:

WILSON’S
GUN AND PISTOL WAREHOUSE
No. 1,
Vigo-Lane, Sackville-Street,
London.

These pistols predate the case by 10-20 years, and later, perhaps at the owner’s instruction, were cased up with accessories by WILSON, a very prolific London Gun Maker who also worked in London up until 1820.

The pistols themselves are really quite nice, and fully functional, with locks that hold correctly at half cock, and fire at full. The stocks are solid, with some evidence of past repairs. Please consult the high resolution photographs for condition details.

A great pair of early silver mounted brass blunderbuss pistols that may well have seen Naval use in the FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR and very possibly the REVOLUTIONARY WAR. If only we knew who owned them!

Additionally in one of lidded compartments we found an 18th century pair of fold away slightly magnifying brass framed BEN FRANKLIN style spectacles. These in themselves are very interesting but since they came to us in the case they will remain with the set in the hope that they date back to the original owner.

A fine set spanning a romantic period of history, ready to display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1760
Caliber: Blunderbuss Swamped Pistol Barrel
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 8 inches
Overall Length: 14 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.