Very Fine Pair Of Long Silver Mounted Belgian Flintlock Holster Pistols By Niquet Lejeune Circa 1745

12 and 3/4 inch “Spanish” form barrels. 70 caliber. Stockel lists a “M. Lejeune” in Liege working in 1764. These pistols are earlier and likely by his father. The barrels feature elaborate silver “spider” foresights, gold lined maker’s stamps, three gold filled stars and foliate scrolls at breech. Partridge rear sights . Silver breech tangs are finely engraved with grotesque mask and strap work. Plain convex locks are signed “Niquet Lejeune”. Plain swan neck cocks. Molded frizzens. Rainproof pans.

Full silver mounts of very fine quality and design. Triggerguards cast and chased in relief with grotesque mask, urn finials, and trophy of arms. Sideplates cast and chased in relief with grotesque, trophy of arms, and two human figures armed with various weapons. Rear ramrod pipe with a grotesque. Crowned silver thumb pieces with grotesque faces and erased arms. Silver buttcaps cast and chased in relief with trophy pf arms and grotesque toothed monster.

Figured walnut fullstocks with fine raised carving surrounding breech tangs and rear ramrod pipe. Condition of barrels mostly smooth gray metal. Silver mounts are fine with little wear and excellent definition. Figured walnut stocks are fine overall with one pistol having an old repaired crack to butt that does not detract.

Ebony ramrods of the period but likely replaced. At 19 and 1/4 inches overall this is a splendid pair of flintlock pistols. Actions are crisp and bores are good.

This pair was doubtless made on the order of a wealthy nobleman and will please the most discerning collector of fine 18th century Continental flintlock pistols.