This pair of Queen Anne style pistols was manufactured in the early 1700s by James Freeman of London. James Paul Freeman was an active gunmaker circa 1716-1736. The pistols have flourishes of light floral scroll and border engraving throughout and are marked "JAMES FREEMAN" on the lower right along with two London proofs and James Freeman's "crown/IF" mark. They are marked "LONDON" on top of the breeches and fitted with screw off cannon barrels with multiple wedding bands and wrench lugs on the bottom. The grips have clamshell carvings behind the barrel tang and teardrop flats on either side, and each is mounted with ornate silver escutcheons on top, and silver pommels engraved with naval anchors surrounded by leaves and faint Latin motto "SEMPER/SPERO MELIORA" (I always hope for better things).

Very good with bright iron surfaces showing some scattered patches of minor pitting, bright lightly polished silver, and mostly defined engraving. The refinished grip is also very good with recut carvings, a few small replacement sections and some small chips above the pommel, and a replacement filled in section on the right behind the lock. Mechanically excellent.

As described in "A."

Very good with bright iron surfaces showing some scattered patches of minor pitting, bright lightly polished silver, and mostly defined engraving. The refinished grip is also very good with recut carvings, an incomplete replacement chipped section above the pommel at the rear, and a crack on the right behind the lock. Mechanically excellent.