MATCHED PAIR OF SILVER MOUNTED AMERICAN PISTOLS

Great pair of American pistols, circa 1810, which are 14 1/2 inches in length overall with  9 1/8" octagon to round .48cal smooth bore barrels. These pistols are identical in dimension and construction. The full stocks are tiger and burl maple with high grade/high end raised carving to include acanthus leaf carving behind and around the barrel tangs as well as raised carved panels around the lock and sideplates with arrow shaped finials. There are raised carved details around the trigger guards , barrel tangs, as well as the butt plates.  The mounts are cast, unmarked coin silver, a strong indication that they were American made. The locks were originally flint but were converted to percussion early in the percussion era, circa 1835.

Michael Lenz was listed in the Baltimore City directory for 1810 where he is listed as a "good quality" gunsmith working on Light Street along with James Haslett and John Stewart.  He was only one of 11 known and listed gunsmiths in Baltimore at that time.  My opinion:  Michael Lenz was trained in Germany (based on the quality and design of the carving) and immigrated to Baltimore where he continued his craft, being listed in the 1810 Baltimore city directory as a  good quality gunsmith. A really great matched pair of pistols!

Condition:  Converted to percussion circa 1835.  The coin silver mounts are all original.  The forestocks have had about 2" of restoration from the muzzle back (see pic with yellow "arrows"). Surfaces are very old if not original.

Reference:  The excellent reference:  "Arms Makers of Maryland" by Daniel Hartzler, Pg.165.