William Kavanagh (Cavanagh) Jr. was a gunmaker at 11 Dame Street in Dublin in 1840-1849 and then moved to 12 Dame Street. His father was a well-respected Irish gunmaker and was active until his death in 1849 as was his brother James who died in 1870. See "Cavanagh the Dublin Gunmakers: Circa 1817-1923" by David Stroud for more information. The pistols have "L-D 1671" (B) and "L-D 1672" (A) markings on the right side of the lower barrels and butts indicating they were registered in Longford sometime between August 1843 and November 1846 under the 1843 Registration Act. The barrels are smoothbore and have bead front sights and "11 DAME ST DUBLIN" on the top. The graceful back action locks have "KAVANAGH" in the tail sections and very nice scroll and border engraving as well as bestial hammers. The upper tangs, bolsters, breech ends, and trigger guard also have coordinating scroll engraving. Ramrods with brass fittings are below the lower barrels. The stocks have nice saw-handle profiles, checkered wrists, and swelled pommels. The case is fitted to the guns and has a "W. Kavanagh Junr/Gun & Pistol Manufacturer/No 11 DAME STREET/DUBLIN" trade label with "1830/1862" hand marking. The case contains a bullet mold, a few lead balls, a ramrod, and a three-way combination powder flask.

Very good plus with strong original blue finish in the protected areas of the trigger guard, mostly gray and brown patina, light Damascus patterns visible along the barrels, crisp engraving and markings, and some slight pitting. The re-oiled stock is very good and has crisp checkering, minor marks and scratches, and a very slight crack above the trigger on the left. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are mostly very good and have mild age and storage related wear as well as a couple of cracks in the case lid.

See "A."

Very good plus with strong original blue in the protected areas of the trigger guard, mostly gray and brown patina on the balance, some Damascus patterns along the barrels, crisp engraving and markings, small flaw in the neck of the right hammer and repaired spur, and minor marks and scratches. The re-oiled stock is very fine and has crisp checkering, minor handling and storage marks, and chip on the spur. Mechanically fine.