^Lot 644 Massive pair of 4-shot hand revolved Flintlock pistols signed "Lambert Dite Biron", circa 1770-181

Massive pair of 4-shot hand revolved Flintlock pistols signed "Lambert Dite Biron", circa 1770-1810. The pair measure 13" overall, with 6-1/2" cannon barrels of approximately .45 cal. false rifle. Thestocks are nicely checkered walnut and show scroll carving at the top of the wrist along with a silver plaque, beautifully engraved with the initials "FP" in fancy script letters. The stocks show a nice burl woodgrain and crisp checkering. The metal surfaces are in good to very good condition, showing some light erosion and pinprick pitting, but no polishing and all the original parts. The barrels are released bya spring in the trigger guard, and the condition is generally very good overall with just a few minor marks in the wood stocks. The pistols are of very large proportions, weighing 3-1/4 pounds each. It isinteresting to note that an almost identical pair are pictured in the Harolds Club Museum Collection, which were attributed to ownership by Napoleon. Provenance Francis Fowler Museum Auction 1985. Est.: