NB No licence is required to own these antique percussion pistols in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. The price for these pistols worthy of further research regarding the maker includes UK delivery. Their cocking & firing actions work crisply. We do not have the tool to remove the barrels).The smooth bores of each barrel have staining consistent with age. The muzzles are notched to accept the tool. Both measure 7 ¼” overall & have 2 ½” turn off steel barrels (to remove the barrels a tool is required which would be inserted into the muzzle of each barrel to allow the barrels to be screwed off.
The barrels of each pistol have black powder proofs. The back of each grip have inlaid void brass escutcheons. The Walnut grips are undamaged and have chequered panels for grip. The pistols feature a nice safety feature forward of the trigger guard which consists of a hooked flange which prevents the percussion cap on the unfired bottom barrel from being struck by accident. The actions have foliate engraved decoration either side of the maker’s name ‘Ward No.471 on one side and a foliate panel on the reverse (there were many British Gunmakers named Ward working in both London & the Provinces in the mid 1800’s).
The matching pistols have steel Dolphin hammers, trigger guards and round steel barrels. This is a nice pair of English percussion pistols made C1845. C1850 Pair Of English ‘Ward No.471’ 80 Bore Over & Under Double Revolving Turn Off Barrels Percussion Pistols.