A Fine Pair Of Silver Mounted Flintlock Queen Anne Pistols by Griffin of London, Circa 1760. With round three-stage turn off cannon barrels, breech signed above a spray of foliage and stamped below with London proofs, foliate engraved barrel tangs, border engraved actions and cocks (one cock with small repair) beautifully figured swelling walnut butts, cast and chased silver mounts comprising grotesque masks stamped with hallmarks, side plates depicting stands of arms and trophy of arms escutcheons engraved with a rampant bore above a coronet. 

Griffin, B. [1739-1773]

Shop in Bond Street, London. One of the early makers of double barrel pistols and fowling pieces. Made flintlock pocket and holster pistols with silver mountings, also double barrel, side-by-side, flintlock pistols with two hammers and two triggers. the name became Griffin & Tow from 1773 to 1796, continuing at Bond Street. Made cannon barrel flintlock pocket pistols and silver mounted flintlock holster pistols. Also brass barrel flintlock blunderbusses. 

A. Merwyn Carey (1954) English, Irish and Scottish Firearms Makers, Acro Publishing Company, New York. 

GRIFFIN

Benjamin. Apprenticed to Samuel Harrison, 1719; gave up apprentice and worked as ‘Fireign’ gunmaker allowed to prove guns by Gunmakers Co., 1724-31. Told to give up work by Gunmakers CO., but traded as gunmaker (Successor to Samuel Garrison), Bond St., 1735-70. Registered silversmith’s mark, Goldsmiths Hall, 1743. With son, Joseph, took out Sun Ins. (No. 159594)on goods ‘at Cross & Griffin’, New Bond Street., 1757. Died 1770. 

Joseph Son of Benjamin. Apprenticed to Samuel Blanckley, turned over to father, 1741; free of Gunmakers CO., 1750. Proof piece and mark 1759. Elected Assistant, 1759; Master, 1762, 1763. Appointed Gentlemen Armourer to His Majesty’s Stables-in-Ordinary, 1760. Gunmaker to His Majesty near the Duke of Grafton’s, Bond Street., 1763. In partnership with father until 1770, then with John Tow, 1772-82. Died in 1784. Succeeded by John Tow. 

Howard L. Blackmore (1986) Gunmakers Of London, 1350-1850. George Shumway Publisher. USA.

Dimensions:

Bore: 20 Bore

Barrel Length: 5.25 Inches (12.86 cm)

Total Length: 12.25 Inches (30 cm)