These pistols are the classic "Queen Anne" style complete with integral lock and breech, frizzen spring folded between the cock and pan, screw-off cannon barrel with smooth bore, and curved stock with bulbous grip capped with a silver grotesque mask and inlaid with silver accents. Though these pistols are named after Queen Anne during whose reign they first became popular, most, like this pair, were manufactured during the Georgian era. These were manufactured around the beginning of the reign of King George II in the late 1720s or 1730s. The barrels could be removed with a barrel key and allowed for pouring powder directly in the antechamber, placing a ball over the charge, re-screwing on the barrel, and firing. All this could be done without special tools or additional materials aside from the powder, ball, and barrel key. The oversized ball deformed to fit the barrel creating a tight gas seal and thus increased the velocity and accuracy; however, most of these pistols have no sights and were meant for relatively close range encounters. The breeches are signed "W. HUTCHINSON" on the lower right, marked "LONDON" on tops, and have London proof and view marks flanking a "crown/F" foreigner's mark on the bottoms. The stocks have tear drop flats, silver serpent motifs on either side of the upper tangs, silver side plates with ghoulish faces, unmarked silver thumb plates, and silver wire scrollwork. The caps are the classic grotesque masks. Some say the grotesque mask designs were popularized by Huguenot immigrant gunmakers. There are no visible silversmith markings. "Foreign" gunmaker William Hutchinson is listed as proving guns for the Gunmakers Co. in 1721-1731, a partner with Huguenot gunmaker Bidet around 1715-1720, was appointed as gunmaker-in-ordinary to King George II in 1726, listed as a gunmaker in a 1735 directory, and died in 1740.

Fine overall with minor patination and slight pitting in the otherwise bright iron, crisp markings and engraving, attractive aged patina on the silver, one of the inlays at the breech replaced, and some minor marks. The stock is has some slight gaps at the edges, light handling wear, and a few nicks. Mechanically excellent.

See A.

Fine overall with light gray patina and some slight pitting on the otherwise bright iron surfaces, attractive aged patina on the silver, distinct markings and engraving, one of the breech inlays replaced, and general minor marks. The stock has some slight gaps and chips at the edges, a small crack forming on the right flat, and some minor scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. These pistols are very attractive examples of the classic and elegant Queen Anne design that was especially popular in the first half of the 18th century.