A rare pair of English 22-bore flintlock holster pistols by Thomas Banister of London, circa 1690 having four-stage barrels each indistinctly signed behind the turned girdle and cut with slots in front of the octagonal breech, the latter struck with London proof marks and each retaining traces of engraved scrolling foliage, tangs en suite, border engraved rounded locks each signed in capitals and decorated with scrolling strawberry foliage, rounded cocks.

Moulded highly figured rootwood full stocks, copper-alloy mounts possibly originally gilt and comprising scrolled side-plates cast, pierced and chased with foliage, heart-shaped vacant escutcheons with a differing mask above and below

Engraved spurred pommels each finely engraved on both sides with strawberry foliage incorporating a differing grotesque head in profile with further foliage issuing from their mouths, the spurs engraved with overlapping acanthus leaves, cast lion-mask caps each with an engraved border of beadwork, trigger-guards each with engraved pointed finial and decorated en suite with the pommels on the bow, turned baluster ramrod-pipes (one expertly replaced), scroll triggers, and later brass-capped wooden ramrods. In working order.

Barrel Length - 32cm. Overall Length - 50cm.

** Provenance - Bonhams & Brooks Knightsbridge, Antique Arms, Modern Firearms & Accessories, 19 July 2001, lot 232 Thomas (1) Banister was apprenticed to Robert Silke in 1668 and was later turned over to Robert Brooke. He was Contractor to Ordnance between 1680 and 1707, and to the Hudsons Bay Company between 1684 and 1701. For further information see Neal & Back 1984, pp. 181-183.