Joseph Heylin was located at 48 Cornhill in London from 1757 until at least 1779 and died in 1801. He is known for making very fine pistols. A pair of nearly identical pistols dated to circa 1765 by Heylin is pictured on page 16 of "Weapons of the American Revolution" by Warren Moore. Even the ramrods appear to be the same suggesting they are original to the guns. The flared muzzles made loading easier which made these pistols well-suited for use on horseback or on the rolling seas. The nearly all brass fittings would have been more resistant to corrosion. There are patriotic themed and border engraving patterns throughout. The multi-stage barrels have "-CORNHILL-LONDON-" on top, no visible proofmarks, and gauge at .93 at the lightly flared muzzles. The caliber above is estimated. The brass locks have "HEYLIN" near the center, sliding safeties, and light engraving. The stocks have raise tear drop flats, shell carving between the barrel tangs and ornate thumb plates, and grotesque mask pommel caps.

Fine. The brass has an attractive aged patina throughout, and the iron has a blend of brown and gray patina and light pitting. The barrel tang is cracked at the screw. The stock has a repaired crack near the nose of the lock, some chips around the lock inlet, a 1 1/2 inch splice on the upper right edge of the forend, numerous scrapes and dings, and evidence of some glue to secure the pommel tendrils. Mechanically fine. The markings and patterns are crisp.

See A.

Fine with aged patina on the brass, gray patina and minor pitting on the iron, scattered marks and scratches, and mostly crisp patterns and markings. The stock is also fine and has a slight hairline crack at the front of the forend and scattered scrapes and dings. Mechanically fine.