A Super Pair of Silver Mounted Holster Pistols by Griffin of Bond Street, Hallmarked for 1756-57, Silversmiths Mark for Jeremiah Ashley. With round barrels, slightly swamped at the muzzles, engraved ‘GRIFFIN Bond Street London’ within a border, both stamped with London proofs and Foreigners marks, foliate engraved barrel tangs and screws, signed stepped, bevelled locks, early waterproof pans, cocks beautifully engraved with scrolling foliage, full-stocked in walnut with raised mouldings around the barrel tangs,  superb silver furniture comprising; buttcaps each with grotesque masks; trigger guards with London hallmarks for 1773/4 and makers mark IK, with detailed flower engraved trigger guard bows and flower finials, asymmetrical wrist escutcheons cast and chased with blossoms and foliage left vacant, pierced side-plates decorated with scrolling foliage and strap-work. 

GRIFFIN

Benjamin. Apprenticed to Samuel Harrison, 1719; gave up apprentice and worked as Foreign 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 silversmiths 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 Majestys Stables-in-Ordinary, 1760. Gunmaker to His Majesty near the Duke of Graftons, 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:16 Bore

Barrel Length: 9 Inches (22.86 cm)

Overall Length: 14 Inches (35.56 cm)