Original 18th Century Matched Pair of 20 Bore Flintlock Officer Pistols by William Brander of London - Circa 1775

Original Items: One of a kind Pair. This is a lovely matched set of British Flintlock Officers Pistols, made by London gunsmith William Brander circa 1775. Brander had been made free of the Gunmakers Company in 1748, founding his own business circa 1752. He would later pass his successful gun-making business to his son Martin circa 1782-1789. We have seen several examples of Brander pistols, and he looks to have made both extremely ornate examples, as well as more utilitarian examples such as these, which still have some lovely brass fittings. The pistols feature 8" three stage iron barrels, with an overall length of 13 3/4”. The barrels bear matching Proof marks from the London Gun Company proof house on the left hand side: the correct Crown / GP black powder "gunmaker's proof" and ;Crown V "Viewed" proof. These surround a touch mark of ✶ / WB for William Brander. The tops of the barrels are also marked with LONDON, and both are smoothbore, with an internal diameter of about 0.62", or