Bonhams will auction a magnificent and exceptionally rare pair of silver flintlock holster pistols. Estimated to sell for £40,000-60,000 they will be offered at Bonhams, Knightsbridge, on Wednesday 18 April 2012.
The pair are highly decorated with chased silver barrels, locks and mounts, made by one of Britain’s best gunsmiths in the 18th Century, Joseph Heylin of London. The pistols bear silver hallmarks for 1768 and are part of the Norman Dixon Collection, a particularly fine collection of flintlock and percussion pistols being sold by Bonhams.
David Williams, Head of Antique Arms & Armour at Bonhams, says: “These pistols are possibly unique in having solid silver barrels and locks. They are also highly decorated, and the combination makes them very attractive to collectors in this field.”
The Antique Arms and Armour market seems armour plated as Bonhams latest sale of £1.4m in November indicates. This was the best result for any Arms and Armour Sale in London during 2011 with 89 per cent of lots sold.