Johann Jakob Behr was active primarily in the Maastricht/Liege region from the 1690s to 1740s. This pair is from the latter portion of his career. He is regarded as one of the better makers of high-quality arms in the period, and other pistols from his shop with gilt-brass mounts are known in public and private collections. The locks are both signed "II BEHR." The long barrels are smoothbore and have light engraving at the breech and sighting ribs. The furniture is gilded brass with a variety of floral and figural designs. The stocks have horn forend caps, raised relief scroll carving, nice moulding, and tear drop flats.

Very good with strong original gilding remaining concentrated primarily in the recessed areas, mostly bright surfaces on the barrel and lock which have some slight oxidation/pitting, natural aged patina on the exposed brass, and minor marks and scratches. The stock has some minor hairline cracks, slight gaps, mostly crisp carving, a small repair visible near the forend tip, and mild scratches and dings. The mainspring is light, but it functions fine.

See "A."

Very good with bright original gold plating remaining primarily in the recessed areas, mostly bright barrel and lock along with light surface oxidation, flaws at the base of the cock, some light pitting, and scattered minor marks and scratches. The stock is good and has a repair above the front ramrod pipe, crack in the left side of the forend, some minor gaps around the mortises, a couple other small cracks/repairs, minor dings and scratches, and mostly crisp carving. The mainspring is a bit light, but it functions fine. This is a very attractive pair of horse pistols from the first half of the 18th century.