A PAIR OF 28 BORE IRISH SILVER-MOUNTED FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOLS BY LEWIS ALLEY

A PAIR OF 28 BORE IRISH SILVER-MOUNTED FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOLS BY LEWIS ALLEY, DUBLIN, DUBLIN SILVER HALLMARKS, CIRCA 1767-75 each with rebrowned barrel signed 'L. Alley, Dublin Fecit' and struck with two marks, the harp of Erin and 'Dublin', over the breech, engraved tangs fitted with folding back-sights (one replaced), signed stepped locks engraved with border ornament and a scroll on the tails, figured walnut stocks carved about the barrel tangs (one fore-end replaced, the other cracked at the muzzle, one butt repaired), full silver mounts comprising side-plates engraved with flowers, spurred pommels fitted with grotesque mask caps, trigger-guards engraved with rococo bouquets, vacant rococo escutcheons, and a pair of moulded ramrod-pipes, and later steel-tipped ramrods 20.5 cm; 8 1/8 in barrels (2) Provenance Sotheby's Olympia, 7th December 2001, lot 114. These pistols have been shortened within their working life.