The makers have kindly confirmed that this pair of pistols were completed in circa 1830. Unsworth notes in “The Early Purdeys” that the pair were sold to Joseph Lang. With browned Damascus octagonal rifled barrel with bead front sight and signed “J. PURDEY. No. 314 1/2 OXFORD STREET. LONDON” towards the breech. Casehardened patent breech with notch rear sight, engraved with two narrow bands of fine stylized running foliage, with platinum inlaid line and pierced platinum plug. Casehardened standing breech and detented lock, the latter with safety catch and signed “PURDEY”. Blued trigger plate with blued single set trigger, blued trigger guard and casehardened butt cap. Engraved throughout with border lines, scrollwork and a martial trophy on the trigger guard. The underside of the barrel with London proof marks and maker’s mark “JP” for James Purdey. Well-figured walnut half length stock with fine multi-point checkering to the butt, a silver escutcheon at the wrist engraved with a crest, and silver barrel key escutcheons. The pair contained in their original fitted mahogany case lined in green baize. The lid with large blue ink printed J. Purdey trade label with handwritten ink annotations including “No 60. Balls./No. … Eley Caps” and “Captain Nicholson./10th Hussars”. There is also a pencil written date of “1829”. With accessories including “IMPROVED No. 60” ball mold serial numbered to pistol “1903”, powder flask, wad cutter, Hawksley pewter oiler, nipple wrench and turnscrew. Christopher Hampden Nicholson (1803-1866) purchased a cornet's commission in 10th (Prince of Wales's Own) Royal Regiment of (light) Dragoons (Hussars) on March 3, 1825. In January of 1826, he purchased a lieutenant's commission on the Unattached List and then exchanged it with the paymaster of the 10th and returned to the regiment as a lieutenant. The 10th went to Portugal in 1827-1828 due to the threat of war with Spain and returned to England before being stationed in Ireland in 1831. On July 5th of that year Nicholson purchased a promotion to captain. In June 1833 he exchanged commissions with other officers and became a lieutenant in the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards (Grenadier Guards) and captain in the Army. He was on Half Pay for twenty years starting on April 9, 1841, and received brevet ranks of major and lieutenant-colonel before selling his captain's commission in May 1861.

Very fine as professionally refinished throughout. The barrel retains 95% browned finish with sharp signature. The breech retains near 100% strong casehardened finish. The standing breech, lock and butt cap each retain near 100% strong casehardened finish with the other furniture retaining near 100% blued finish. The bluing to the trigger appears to be original. The stock has minor handling blemishes with sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case in good condition with some external age related storage marking, the lining with some fading, age related wear from the pistols and accessories, some mothing to the lid lining, and wear and staining to the label. Accessories generally in good condition.

See "A." Provenance: Captain Christopher Hampden Nicholson and The Malcolm King Collection

Very fine as professionally refinished throughout. The barrel retains 95% browned finish and has a sharp signature and a small dent/nick on the upper right flat at the muzzle. The breech retains nearly 100% strong casehardened finish. The standing breech has a silvered section on the rear but otherwise has strong finish. The lock and butt cap each retain near 100% strong casehardened finish, and the other furniture retaining near 100% blued finish. The bluing to the trigger appears to be original. The stock has sharp checkering and some general minor handling blemishes. Mechanically excellent.