Splendid Pair Of Extremely Long High Art Italian Flintlock Holster Pistols Circa 1750

15 and 7/8th inch three stage round barrels. .65 caliber bores.

The barrels chiseled in relief with 4 dragons and a further dragon at muzzle ahead of the raised sighting rib. The contoured lockplates chiseled with two dragons and strap work. The gooseneck cock chiseled in relief with a dragon. Bridled frizzens have bridles engraved with a dragon. Frizzen faces are chiseled with yet another stylized dragon.

Elaborate steel trigger guards are relief chiseled with a dragon on the bow and pierced acanthus finial. Long pierced steel side plates. Long spurred steel buttcaps are chiseled in high relief with leafy meander, lillies, and strap work. Pommel caps are chiseled with grotesque masks in relief. Two pierced ramrod pipes complete the mounts of these exceptional pistols.

Figured walnut full stocks are relief carved forward of the locks. Condition of the steel surfaces is smooth gray steel however the chiseled decoration is exceptionally crisp. The figured walnut full stocks have old repairs and wear but generally sound. One sliver missing from one pistol left of one breech flat but worn smooth from use. The actions are crisp on both full and half cock and bores are fair. Both pistols retain old period ramrods.

The overall length is an incredible 23 inches. This is an exceptional pair with chiseling that will be difficult to surpass. These pistols were the pride of Colonel Charles Katsainos’s Collection. He was a respected charter member of the American Society of Arms Collectors.