Thomas Archer: a pair of English 56 bore flintlock pocket pistols in the 'Queen Anne' style

Thomas Archer: a pair of English 56 bore flintlock pocket pistols in the 'Queen Anne' style, turn-off barrels 3.5 in., box-locks in scroll and acanthus engraved round-section frames inscribed 'T. ARCHER', raised pans, foliate engraved trigger guards with everted edges, hardwood grips inlaid with scrolling silver wire, silver grotesque mask butt caps, Ordnance private proof, c. 1790. Section 58(2) - no licence required if possessed as a curiosity or ornament. [2]

Purportedly from the Sir Arthur Chester Beatty collection.

Offered with a typed note stating that these pistols were presented, in 1946, to H.A. Titcombe, "by Sir A. Chester Beatty of Dublin". Alfred Chester Beatty (1875-1968) was an eminent collector and philanthropist and founder of the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin. Harold Abbot Titcomb was a mining engineer and businessman and an associate of Chester Beatty, who gave much assistance to Britain during the Second World War.