Billed as "magnificent and exceptionally rare," this historic pair of silver flintlock holster pistols will auction in London on April 18. The antique guns will appear for sale with a £40,000-60,000 ($92,509) estimate.
Each gun is highly decorated. Their features include chased silver barrels, locks and mounts.
Both militaria pieces were made by one of 18th century Britain's greatest gunsmiths, Joseph Heylin of London. The antique firearms date to 1768, as evidenced by their silver hallmarks.
They are auctioning as part of the Norman Dixon Collection, comprising a selection of flintlock and percussion pistols.
 The Joseph Heylin antique silver flintlock holster pistols |
"These pistols are possibly unique in having solid silver barrels and locks," said David Williams, Head of Antique Arms & Armour at auctioneer Bonhams.
"They are also highly decorated, and the combination makes them very attractive to collectors in this field."
The antique arms and armour markets seem to be 'iron plated' at the moment.
Recent strong performances include £1.4m of sales generated in another Bonhams auction in November. It was the best result for any Arms and Armour Sale in London that year, with 89 per cent of lots sold.
Watch this space for more news from the antique firearms and militaria markets.
