A Superb Pair of Silver Mounted Flintlock Belt Pistols by Griffin, circa 1765. With round three-stage, turn-off cannon barrels, struck below the breech with London proofs and ‘Foreigners Mark’ decorated with a spray of foliage, border engraved box-lock actions, signed ‘GRIFFIN LONDON’ on a foliate scroll and fitted with belt-hooks to the left, sliding trigger safety catches, swelling walnut butts with silver escutcheons, bearing the original owners crest, and beautiful ‘Lion and Castle’ butt caps, the trigger guards decorated with flower heads on the bow. The pistols are in superb untouched condition. The silver is black and uncleaned and the crest deserves further study. It would be nice to know who these pistols originally belonged to.

Notes:

A similar pair can be seen on page 105 of W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back (1989) British Gunmakers Messrs Griffin & Tow And W. Bailes 1740-1790, Historic Firearms, Norwich, UK. 

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: 20-Bore

Barrel Length: 5.5 Inches (14 cm)

Overall Length: 12.5 Inches (31.5 cm)