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A Cased Pair Of Scottish 50-Bore Percussion Duelling Or Target Pistols By Alex.r Martin, Glasgow, Mid-19th Century
The medals and associate ephemera and uniforms of Arthur Watts, 6th Inniskilling Dragoons
A Pair Of Highland All-Metal Percussion Belt Pistols Signed Paton & Walsh Perth, Mid 19th century
A Silver-Mounted Left-Hand Dagger, probably German, Italian or English Late 16th Century Or Later
FOUR REPRODUCTION CARVED POWDER HORNS/FLASKS.late 20th century.
THREE CARVED COCONUT ITEMS.18th/19th century.
A COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE AND REPRODUCTION POWDER FLASKS AND RELATED SPORTING ITEMS.
THREE VICTORIAN ARMS AND ARMOUR DECORATIVE ITEMS.
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Lot 348

A Pair Of Scottish 20-Bore Flintlock All-Metal Belt Pistols
By John Murdoch Of Doune, Mid-18th Century

Fine Antique Arms & Armour Including An Important Group Of British Firearms
23 September 2020, 10:30 BST
London, Knightsbridge

Sold for £17,562.50 inc. premium

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A Pair Of Scottish 20-Bore Flintlock All-Metal Belt Pistols
By John Murdoch Of Doune, Mid-18th Century

With four-stage barrels engraved at the flared octagonal muzzles and with symmetrical foliage at the mid-sections, fluted breeches each with notched back-sight at the rear, signed border engraved flat bevelled locks each decorated with scrolling foliage on the tail, cocks en suite, faceted line engraved steels, three-quarter stocks engraved with foliate line ornament and characteristic foliage, the undersides each with three foliate engraved silver lines, foliate engraved ram's horn butts with engraved and dotted interlace inlaid with silver along the back and each with silver oval escutcheon on both sides, silver button triggers (threaded prickers missing) each engraved as a flower-head, slender partly fluted and engraved belt hooks each with pierced and engraved terminal, and slender steel ramrods (some light pitting and surface patination) (2)
18.5 cm. barrels

Footnotes

Provenance
Lieutenant-General Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland (1742-1817, acceded 1786). The pistols were given as a gift to a Mr Wood, factor of the ducal estates at Alnwick, Northumberland
Thence by descent to the vendor
Christie's South Kensington, Antique Arms And Armour, 17 December 2008, lot 197

Prior to his resignation from General Lord Howe's army in 1777, Hugh Percy had served with distinction in The American Revolutionary War. As commanding officer of the relief column at the Battle of Lexington and Concord Percy saved the retreating British forces from total defeat. In 1775, as a Divisional Commander, he was engaged in the Battle of Long Island and led the storming of Fort Washington. In 1786 Hugh Percy succeeded his father as 2nd Duke of Northumberland and continued the program of agricultural improvements at Alnwick. He held twice-weekly meetings at Alnwick Castle with tenants and tradespeople, these occasions are believed to have been organised and attended by Wood

Little is known of John Murdoch, however a note in the Statistical Account of Scotland, Vol. XX, 1798, p.86 suggests that he was apprenticed to one of the Cadells and goes on to note 'The trade is now carried on by John Murdoch, also famous for his ingenuity in the craft and who has likewise furnished pistols to the first nobility of Europe. These pistols were sold from 4 to 24 guineas a pair... when Mr. Murdoch gives over business, the trade, in all probability, will become extinct'

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A Cased Pair Of Scottish 50-Bore Percussion Duelling Or Target Pistols By Alex.r Martin, Glasgow, Mid-19th Century
The medals and associate ephemera and uniforms of Arthur Watts, 6th Inniskilling Dragoons
A Pair Of Highland All-Metal Percussion Belt Pistols Signed Paton & Walsh Perth, Mid 19th century
A Silver-Mounted Left-Hand Dagger, probably German, Italian or English Late 16th Century Or Later
FOUR REPRODUCTION CARVED POWDER HORNS/FLASKS.late 20th century.
THREE CARVED COCONUT ITEMS.18th/19th century.
A COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE AND REPRODUCTION POWDER FLASKS AND RELATED SPORTING ITEMS.
THREE VICTORIAN ARMS AND ARMOUR DECORATIVE ITEMS.