A Flintlock Light Dragoon by Ketalnd
A Flintlock Light Dragoon by Ketland & Co. With tapering round barrel, plain tang, double line engraved flat lock, with crowned GR and singed KETLAND & Co. across the tail, swan neck cock decorated en suite, full stocked in walnut, with regulation brass mounts comprising trigger guard, butt cap and ramrod pipes, in completely untouched condition.
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.
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