This lot consists of a matching pair of H. Delany of London Queen Anne flintlock pistols. In 1715, Henry Delany (Delaney is a known alternative spelling) a Huguenot immigrant gunmaker, was admitted to the freedom of the London Gunmakers’ Company and is listed as a gunmaker of breech loading sporting guns and silver-mounted pistols. Huguenots were members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France during the 16th and 17th centuries, and roughly 500,000 Huguenots fled France to Protestant nations such as England to escape a series of religious prosecutions that began in the late 17th century. Delany died circa 1745 (see, for example, Neal and Back's GREAT BRITISH GUNMAKERS 1540-1740 and J.F. Hayward's THE HUGUENOT GUNMAKERS OF LONDON). "H. DELANY LONDINI" is marked below the frizzen spring. "Londini" is Latin for London. Two deeply struck proofs are present on the lower left barrel flat. The smooth bore barrel has a part octagon rear breech section and has a cannon type muzzle. Small arrows are engraved around the smooth trigger and the trigger guard has a light engraving. The silver buttcap is a lion's head carved in relief. The ornate thumb escutcheon is silver. The dragoon-like escutcheon carved in relief is also silver and is positioned on the left side of the stock. The pistol has a wooden ramrod with swollen head. Note that the rear ramrod pipe is integral to the trigger guard.

Very good. The pistol has a bright appearance showing some minor pitting. The silver is fine. The stock is also very good with a wood filled repair near the lock plate, a dent near the stock escutcheon and some minor handling marks. Mechanically fine.

As described in "A".

Very good. The pistol has a bright appearance showing some minor pitting. The silver is fine. The stock is also very good with some minor handling marks. Mechanically fine.