John Blissett (1808-1872) was a renowned Victorian era gunmaker in London. This pair of pistols from around the 1850s has rifled Damascus barrels with dovetailed blade and notch sights, "JOHN BLISSETT. 322 HIGH HOLBORN. LONDON." marked on top and patent breeches with pierced platinum plugs. The locks have "JOHN BLISSETT. LONDON." and sliding half-cock safeties. They are equipped with adjustable single set triggers. The serial number "No 3065" is on the trigger guards. There is extensive English scroll, floral, and border engraving. The wedge and wrist escutcheons are silver. The latter have a griffin on a torse over a coat of arms with three griffin heads in the left field and a bird on a branch in the right field and a banner with the motto "IMPAVIDE ET RECTE" (fearlessly and rightly). The trade label has a "From/Hon Judge/Pope/Sunday May 13/1877" marking. The case contains a "65" marked ball mold, "1 1/4" marked wad/patch cutter, small powder flask, powder measure, screwdriver, jag, loading/cleaning rod, oiler, turned containers, and a few balls. William H. Pope (1825-1879) was an influential Canadian lawyer, judge, and politician. He was a the editor of the Prince Edward Island Tory newspaper "The Islander" and held various political positions, including colonial secretary; supported the confederation of the British colonies/provinces that became the Dominion of Canada; and was appointed as a county judge in Prince Edward Island in 1873. The moto is noted as Pope's.

Very good with distinct engraving and Damascus twist patterns, bright platinum plug, attractive aged patina on the silver, strong original blue and casehardened finish in some of the protected areas, mostly dark brown patina overall, some tool marks on the barrel, and general minor age and storage related wear. The stock is also very good and has crisp checkering, minor dings and scratches, and a faint hairline crack at the forend tip on the left. Mechanically fine. The case is fine with moderate age and storage related wear including the majority of the trade label being torn away, a large circular splice in the lid with some faint cracks at the edges, and mild scratches and dings. The accessories are mostly fine with mild age and storage related wear. The flask spring is broken.

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

Very good with distinct engraving, visible Damascus twist patterns along the barrel, bright platinum plug, dark aged patina on the silver, strong blue and casehardened finish in some of the protected areas, mostly dark gray and brown patina, some mild oxidation/pitting on the barrel, and generally mild overall wear. The stock is also very good and has crisp checkering, some light scratches and dings, and minor edge wear. Mechanically fine.