ANGLETERRE, Londres, seconde moitié du XVIIIème siècle KETLAND & Co. Pair of fine Marine officer's pistols. Signed, round-bodied flintlock locks and safety blades with swan-neck hammers. Blunderbuss bronze barrels, ringed, then round towards the muzzle, marked LONDON. Mouth diameter: 37 mm. Finials and friezes engraved with thunderbolts. Marks of the LONDON proof house. Long walnut shafts, decorated with flowers, teardrops and leaves. Cut brass fittings, decorated with rocaille cartouches and flowers. Iron rods with nail heads. Barrel length: 18.5 or 18.7 cm - Overall length: 32.8 or 33 cm. Safety catches not working. Scratches and bumps from use; a few stains, cracks and small chips, small groove under the muzzle of one barrel. KETLAND & Co. The KETLAND dynasty included several generations of harquebusiers or gunmakers based in Birmingham from 1740 onwards, then in London from the 1760s. Our pair of pistols appears to have been made by William II (?-1804), grandson of the founder, in the second half of the 18th century.