A Sleepy Flintlock Duelling Pistol by Ketland & Co.
A Flintlock Duelling Pistol by Ketland & Co. Of London. With sighted octagonal barrel, stamped with London proofs at the breech, decorated with a single geometric line at the breech, border engraved tang, stepped bevelled lock signed in script, semi water proof pan, with roller on spring and frizen, full-stocked in walnut, with raised foliate carving around the tang, stock has been cracked through and repaired, tutaneg mounts comprising oval escutcheon engraved with what appears to be an armed man, simple trigger guard decorated with a flower head within a diamond on the bow, with acorn finial, turned ramrod pipes, original horn tipped ramrod with steel worm.
The pistol is in sleepy condition overall.
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.
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