4 days ago
Pair of rare royal pistols to be sold at auction
A pair of rare pistols from the private collection of an 18th Century prince are to be sold at auction later.
The guns were owned by Prince Augustus Frederick, the first Duke of Sussex, the sixth son of King George III.
They were made in the 1790s by the esteemed Spanish gunsmith Francisco Targarona and are believed to have been given to the prince as a diplomatic gift.
The pair are estimated to fetch between £20,000 and £30,000 at a special sale of medals and coins, arms and armour at Woolley & Wallis, in Salisbury.
The duke was well liked and noted for championing societal freedom and reform.
He was also known for his large weapons collection, which was put up for auction on his death in 1843, including the pistols.
The guns are Spanish 22 bore convertible 'Madrid' lock pistols, which date from about 1795.
They are highly decorative, with geometric and floral accents, and can be fitted together to create a short, single gun.
They are housed in a fitted mahogany case with velvet lining. On the outside, the case has an oval silver plate on its lid engraved "Purchased at the sale of His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, 1845".
Ned Cowell, head of arms and armour at Woolley & Wallis, said the selling the guns was a privilege.
"We are honoured to be offering such an outstanding pair of pistols by such a distinguished gunmaker and with such a historic background," he added.
Other items in the sale include a selection of military medals, rare coins, swords, cannons and a coronation robe worn in 1937 and in 1953.
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