FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE POSSIBLY UNIQUE PAIR OF LATE 17TH CENTURY BREECH LOADING LONG ENGLISH FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOLS WITH RIFLED BARRELS BY THE RENOWNED LONDON MAKER ROBERT ROWLAND CIRCA 1695.

SN NSN. Late 17th century English pistols are uncommon as the survival rate was low due to heavy use during the period. Pairs are even more rare. This breechloading pair by the justly famous Robert Rowland have convex locks of ‘banana’ shape with the maker’s name ‘R. Rowland’ in a delicately engraved oval reserve. The pointed tails of the lockplates are engraved with leaves. The swan neck cocks are decorated en suite and the frizzens are plain. The 11 inch long rifled barrels are in two stages with double rings and diminutive brass foresights. The long steel spurred buttcaps are finely engraved with a scroll device and the trigger guards are robustly moulded enabling them to pivot and operate the quick screw threaded breech. The sideplates are chiseled with sprays of leaves and the ramrod pipes are well turned in the traditional late 17th century fashion. The thumbpieces are chiseled en suite with the sideplates. The dark walnut fullstocks are boldly moulded around the sideplates, fore-ends, and barrel tangs. The breeches are struck with London gunmaker’s proofs. Notes: Robert Rowland was renowned in his own time for his breech loading rifles and guns, one particularly fine example of which was in the collection of the late W. Keith Neal. Pairs of late 17th century English pistols rarely appear for sale and those that do are usually restocked. These are not. The rarity of breech loading in English pistols of this early period sets this pair apart from all others. A single breechloading flintlock pistol of ‘Queen Anne’ type also by Robert Rowland was sold by Sotheby’s London in 1971 and appears on page 199 of Peter Hawkin’s Price Guide to Antique Guns and Pistols, 1973. This pair exhibits exceptional technical sophistication for the period being both breechloading and rifled. They are likely the only such pair in America and pre-date Major Patrick Ferguson’s “invention” by more than three quarters of a century. PROVENANCE: Dr. John Hill; Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. Pictured in “The Age of Firearms” by Robert Held, illustrated p. 140. CONDITION: The metal surfaces are generally clean though there is surface staining and light pitting on the barrels especially above the touch holes on both pistols. There is an area of deep erosion on the breech of one pistol approximately 1 millimeter in diameter above the touch-hole caused by an over-sized flint. The barrels would benefit from proper conservation. The engraving is generally clear on locks and mounts with some light wear. Stocks have been conserved with many cracks repaired. 2-1/2″ of the forestock of one pistol has been restored. 4-49750 (15,000-30,000) – Lot 3481

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Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	3481	$14,750.00	FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE POSSIBLY UNIQUE PAIR OF LATE 17TH CENTURY BREECH LOADING LONG ENGLISH FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOLS WITH RIFLED BARRELS BY THE RENOWNED LONDON MAKER ROBERT ROWLAND CIRCA 1695. SN NSN. Late 17th century English pistols are uncommon as the survival rate was low due to heavy use during the period. Pairs are even more rare. This breechloading pair by the justly famous Robert Rowland have convex locks of ‘banana’ shape with the maker’s name ‘R. Rowland’ in a delicately engraved oval reserve. The pointed tails of the lockplates are engraved with leaves. The swan neck cocks are decorated en suite and the frizzens are plain. The 11 inch long rifled barrels are in two stages with double rings and diminutive brass foresights. The long steel spurred buttcaps are finely engraved with a scroll device and the trigger guards are robustly moulded enabling them to pivot and operate the quick screw threaded breech. The sideplates are chiseled with sprays of leaves and the ramrod pipes are well turned in the traditional late 17th century fashion. The thumbpieces are chiseled en suite with the sideplates. The dark walnut fullstocks are boldly moulded around the sideplates, fore-ends, and barrel tangs. The breeches are struck with London gunmaker’s proofs. Notes: Robert Rowland was renowned in his own time for his breech loading rifles and guns, one particularly fine example of which was in the collection of the late W. Keith Neal. Pairs of late 17th century English pistols rarely appear for sale and those that do are usually restocked. These are not. The rarity of breech loading in English pistols of this early period sets this pair apart from all others. A single breechloading flintlock pistol of ‘Queen Anne’ type also by Robert Rowland was sold by Sotheby’s London in 1971 and appears on page 199 of Peter Hawkin’s Price Guide to Antique Guns and Pistols, 1973. This pair exhibits exceptional technical sophistication for the period being both breechloading and rifled. They are likely the only such pair in America and pre-date Major Patrick Ferguson’s “invention” by more than three quarters of a century. PROVENANCE: Dr. John Hill; Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. Pictured in “The Age of Firearms” by Robert Held, illustrated p. 140. CONDITION: The metal surfaces are generally clean though there is surface staining and light pitting on the barrels especially above the touch holes on both pistols. There is an area of deep erosion on the breech of one pistol approximately 1 millimeter in diameter above the touch-hole caused by an over-sized flint. The barrels would benefit from proper conservation. The engraving is generally clear on locks and mounts with some light wear. Stocks have been conserved with many cracks repaired. 2-1/2″ of the forestock of one pistol has been restored. 4-49750 (15,000-30,000) – Lot 3481 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE POSSIBLY UNIQUE PAIR OF LATE 17TH CENTURY BREECH LOADING LONG ENGLISH FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOLS WITH RIFLED BARRELS BY THE RENOWNED LONDON MAKER ROBERT ROWLAND CIRCA 1695.