‡ A PAIR OF 20 BORE LIEGOIS FLINTLOCK PISTOLS BY G. MASSIN, CIRCA 1740-50

‡ A PAIR OF 20 BORE LIEGOIS FLINTLOCK PISTOLS BY G. MASSIN, CIRCA 1740-50 with blued two-stage sighted barrels, signed in stamped letters at the medians, chiselled with foliage against a gilt ground at the breeches, chiselled barrel tangs decorated en suite with the breeches, bevelled locks chiselled with further designs of scrolling foliage against a gilt ground, figured walnut full stocks carved with scrolls and foliage in low relief behind the ramrod-pipes, parcel-gilt steel mounts chiselled with foliage, comprising solid side-plates, spurred faceted pommels, trigger-guards, escutcheons and a pair of ramrod-pipes, and one with its steel-tipped ramrod, perhaps the original (the other replaced) 40.5cm (2) Provenance Property of a European Collector, sold in this room 9th December 2009, lot 283. Gilles Massin is recorded as a gun dealer in Liège circa 1740.