373 - A beautiful pair of flintlock pistols by Vicente Aldecora and Domingo Arguiano

A beautiful pair of flintlock pistols by Vicente Aldecora and Domingo Arguiano dating: about 1790 provenance: Eibar, Fine, two-stage, smoothbore, 16 mm cal barrels, browned (some small missing parts to the finish). The first segment of hexagonal section, bearing the stamped mark "BIZALDCVA" (for Vicente Aldecora), surrounded by three fleurs-de-lis and four floral elements, all inlaid in gold; the transition with a moulded ring and carved acanthus leaves against a gilt ground. The second stage of round section, with muzzles featuring moulded muzzle rings, cal. 16 mm. Tangs engraved with floral motifs, one slightly raised. Miquelet flintlock mechanisms; the lock plates bearing the gilt mark "ARGVIANO" (for Domingo Arguiano), one of which is barely legible; the tails of the lock plates engraved with floral motifs, the cocks carved with foliate motifs, and the frizzens carved with scrollwork. Full wooden stocks, carved around the tangs and in front of the trigger guards. Steel mounts, engraved and carved with foliate elements and busts wearing classical helmets. Wooden ramrods. A pair of pistols of excellent workmanship and quality, in very good condition.