Pistols for the first Duke of Sussex

27th May 2025

Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843) was the sixth son of King George III (1738–1820) and became the Duke of Sussex (in the first creation of the title) on the 24^th of November 1801. He was notable in his day as an enlightened thinker and abolitionist. He was a supporter of his niece, the popular but unhappy Princess Charlotte, in her struggles with her father the Prince Regent and enjoyed the honour of giving away his great niece, Queen Victoria, on her wedding day in 1840. During his lifetime the Duke amassed a large collection of weapons including these rare Spanish 22 bore convertible 'Madrid' lock pistols, which date from circa 1795.

The Duke died in 1843 and the sale of his chattels was conducted by Messrs Christie and Manson over thirteen days at their King’s Street, St James’s premises. Saturday, 1st of July was devoted to ‘Arms and canes’ and the pistols offered here appeared as lot 655 among a total of 110 weapons of various kinds. It is probable that this fine suite, with its gold inlaid dedications 'DE. S.A.R.P. AUGUSTO' (De Sui Alteza Real Príncipe Augusto / Of His Royal Highness Prince Augustus) was presented to him as a diplomatic gift at some point prior to the outbreak of hostilities between Britain and Spain in 1796. 

Ned Cowell, Head of Arms & Armour at Woolley and Wallis, said: “We are honoured to be offering this outstanding pair of pistols by such a distinguished gunmaker and with such a historic background.”

The rare pistols were made by the esteemed Royal Spanish gunmaker Francisco Targarona, who was prominent among the elite gun makers of Madrid where he was active from c. 1778. In 1792 Targarona was appointed gun maker to King Charles IV of Spain (Arcabucero de su Magestad) in succession to Francisco Antonio García with whom he had trained under Francisco López. He joined Diego Alvarez, Juan de Soto and Isidro Soler in the Royal Household. These men were part of a lineage of outstanding craftsmen with its origins in 1530.

With an ingenious design, the two pistols can be cleverly fitted together to create a single short gun and are marked Fran-Co. Targarona. They are highly decorative, with geometric and floral accents in gold and bear the title and name of the recipient in gold inlay to the barrels.

Regarding technical details, Ned Cowell tells us: “The characteristic lock constructed by the Spanish makers is the type known to collectors as the ‘Miquelet lock’, distinguished by an external mainspring and sears that act laterally through the lock plate. Highly refined locks derived from this type were particular to the best Madrid makers between about 1700 and 1800 and are found on arms of the highest quality."

The guns are housed in a fitted velvet-lined mahogany case with an oval silver plate to the lid engraved: 'Purchased at the sale of his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, 1845'. Lot 238 sold for £22,680 (including buyer's premium) in the Medals & Coins, Arms & Armour sale on June 3, 2025.