Beschreibung:

A pair of George II crested and silver-mounted walnut holster pistols by Peter Gandon of London, circa 1742, with 9 3/4inch round barrels, each stamped with London proof marks, the steel lock plates inscribed GANDON within a scroll cartouches, the silver mounts with grotesque mask terminals and with trophies engraved with the arms of MURRAY, hallmarked for London 1742 Provenance: Private Collection of the Bagshawe family, formerly of Ford Hall and Snitterton Hall, Derbyshire, see page 97 of the catalogue. Note: James Gandon the celebrated English and Irish architect, responsible for among others, the Custom House, Dublin was the son of Peter Gandon (b. 1713) gunmaker. The latter's father, also Peter, was a Huguenot refugee. See Arthur G. Grimwade, London Goldsmiths 1697-1837 Their Marks and Lives (London 1976), p. 270, where this mark is listed as 1742 -unidentified - gun mounts. Also Christie's South Kensington, Lot 198, 30th April 2015 for a fowling piece by the same maker and with the same arms which sold for £15,000 from the Blair Charitable Trust, Blair Castle, Blair Atholl (seat of the Dukes of Atholl, chiefs of the Clan Murray). Christie's note a reference to W. Keith Neal & D.H.L Back, Great British Gunmakers 1740-1790 (London 1975) where the authors note that there are three receipted accounts from a Philip Gandon in the archives at Blair Castle. Please note: Unfortunately, one ram rod is not present with this lot Condition report disclaimer