With rifled, round turn-off barrel decorated with a band of foliage at the muzzle and simple line engraving at the breech, stamped with London proofs, steel box-lock action signed ‘Ketland & Co’ within an oval above stands of arms on one side and ‘London’ within an oval above stand of arms to the other side, fitted with sliding safety above that also locks the pan, slab sided walnut grip with vacant white metal escutcheon. 

Ketland [1740-1804]

William Ketland, Sr., established a gunsmithy at Birmingham in 1740, and after his death his eldest grandson, William Ketland, carried on the business until his death in 1804. During this period they operated under the name of Ketland & Co. It is not definitely known when they opened the London shop but it is believed to be about 1760, and were one of the first birmingham gunmakers to compete with London gunmakers of fine workmanship. The Ketlands arms mark later developed into the Birmingham Proof Mark. William Ketland II's brother-in-law, Thomas Izon continued to operate the company under the name Ketland & Co. until 1831, when they got into financial difficulties and the firm ceased operations. 

William Ketalns, Sr., had two other grandsons, Thomas and John Ketland, both gunsmiths who worked on a co-operative basis with William Ketland under the name Ketalnd & Co. However, Thomas and John emigrated foto the USA in 1780. A number of American Kentucky rifles had Ketalnd & Co locks. 

Ketland & Co flintlock pistols and fowling pieces are noted for their fine workmanship and design. 

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

Dimensions:

Bore: 54 Bore

Barrel Length: 2 Inches (5 cm)

Overall Length: 5.5 Inches (14 cm)