These c. 1800 officer's pistols feature smoothbore, Damascus barrels with blade front and notch rear sights, gold vent liners, and bands of engraving at the breeches. The standing breeches have British patriotic and floral engraving. The locks are signed "TATHAM" for Henry Tatham (1770-1835) and have large frizzen spring rollers, lined borders, floral and British classical martial engraving, burst patterns, half-cock safeties, and stepped tails. The iron furniture features coordinating martial and floral engraving, and the stocks have checkered wrists and added "DT" inscribed silver escutcheons. Similar pistols were made by Tatham & Egg (Henry Tatham and Joseph Egg) c. 1801-1814. The pair comes in a fitted case with a 17 bore ball mold, oiler, flints, later G. & J.W. Hawksley combination flask, loading and cleaning rod, balls, and a screwdriver. The handle on the lid is inscribed "Captain Daniel Tyler Pomfret 1778". Captain Daniel Tyler III (1750-1832) of Brooklyn, Connecticut, graduated from Harvard in 1771 and was married that year in Pomfret, Connecticut, to Mehitable Putnam (1749-1789), daughter of Israel Putnam (1718-1790), a veteran of the French & Indian War and a major general in the American Revolution. He endorsed a copy of the alarm for the Committee of Correspondence following the Battle of Lexington and served as the adjutant of Putnam's Connecticut Regiment during the war and served under Putnam at the Siege of Boston, including the famous Battle of Bunker Hill where Putnam reportedly gave the famous order to hold their fire until they could see the whites of the British soldiers' eyes. His own father also fought in the battle as the lieutenant colonel of the 6th Massachusetts. Tyler later helped raise and fund a company of mantrosses in 1778 and served as their captain. That year they were directed to deliver baggage and ammunition to New London. They were sent to Newport, Rhode Island, in 1780 to help fend off another British threat. Given the pistols date to well after the American Revolution but during Tyler's lifetime, they may have been a commemorative gift in recognition for raising, funding, and leading the company from Pomfret in 1778. A pair of pistols presented to a veteran of the American Revolution, let alone an adjutant from Bunker Hill, is incredibly rare. Includes a listing of the pair from Wm. Dykes Antiques and information on Captain Tyler.

Good with mostly gray and brown patina overall, some brown around the sights, light Damascus patterns, and distinct markings and engraving aside from the barrel marking. The stock is also good and has distinct checkering, some cracks and repairs, and mild scratches and dings. Mechanically fine. The case is good with moderate age and storage related wear including partially loose dividers and blank label. The flask has new leather. The other accessories are fine with mild age and storage wear.

Provenance: The William Dykes Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Good with mostly distinct engraving and markings aside from the faded "LONDON" on top of the barrel, gray and brown patina, faint Damascus patterns, some brown retained by the sights, mild pitting, and general mild overall wear. The stock is also good and has distinct checkering, a crack and chip on the left at the breech, and mild dings and scratches. Mechanically fine.