Henry Nock (1741-1804) was among the most talented and innovative of the English gunmakers in the late 18th century and early 19th century. A similar cased pair of pistols of smaller caliber that made near the end of his life is featured on page 23 of "London Gunmakers and the English Duelling Pistol, 1770-1830" by Keith R. Dill. Like that pair, this pair lacks Nock's famous patent breech. This pair is "carbine bore" (.65 caliber) which was common for English officer's pistols and larger than was common on dueling pistols, but they would also have been suitable for use as dueling pistols given their fixed sights, smoothbore barrels, and set triggers. The barrels have fixed blade front sights, "-H. NOCK LONDON-" inscribed on tops, gold bands at the breech ends, platinum liners, and London proof and view marks flanking "TWISTED" on the bottoms. The locks have guttered "rainproof" pans, frizzen spring rollers, "-H-NOCK-" signed at the centers, burst and floral engraving, sliding half-cock safety latches, stepped tails, and beveled edges. The large trigger guards enclose adjustable single set triggers and have pineapple finials and floral engraving. The forend caps, wedge escutcheons, and wrist escutcheons are silver. The half-length stocks have checkered bag shaped wrists. One ramrod has a covered worm. The case has a Joseph Lang trade label inside marked "No 16," a screwdriver, a ramrod tip, three-compartment powder flask, cleaning rod, and some lead balls.

Very good with 90% of the dark refinished brown remaining on the barrel, bright gold band and platinum vent liner, attractive dark aged patina on the silver, 25% original case colors, gray and brown patina on the balance of the lock, 60% period refinished blue on the furniture, and mild overall wear. The stock is fine and has crisp checkering, some minor dings and scratches, and a few chips at the lock mortise edges. The safety is stuck, and the trigger needs some work; otherwise mechanically fine. The case and accessories are also very good and have mild age and storage related wear.

See "A." Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr

Very good with 85% plus of the dark refinished brown remaining on the barrel along with a bright gold band and platinum liner, attractive dark aged patina on the silver, 20% case colors, 75% period refinished blue on the trigger guard, lighter refinished blue on the ramrod entry pipe, gray and brown patina on the balance, some mild oxidation, and general mild overall wear. The stock is fine and has crisp checkering, some slight loss at the edges of the lock mortise, light scratches and dings, and minor overall wear. The set trigger needs some work; otherwise, mechanically excellent.