A Very Fine Condition Classic, Cased Pair of Late 18th to Early 19th Century Damascus Barrelled Duelling Pistols by Master Gunsmith William Parker of Holborn London. Original Oak Case with Tools and Accessories

A superb cased pair, in original case, near identical, and from the exact same design and form as another very fine cased pair, commissioned from William Parker, of London, circa 1800, and formerly in the American Billionaire J.P.Morgan Family Collection.

J. P. Morgan was a 19th century and early 20th century world renown American banker and philanthropist, he was subsequently categorised as America's greatest banker, who's reorganising skills and actions, in the great panic of 1907, saved America's monetary system

William Parker (1790-1841), produced some of Englands finest flintlock guns at 233 High Holborn London, from 1793-1839. Parker was Gun maker to the Duke of Kent, Prince Edward and King William IV.

Browned octagonal smooth 16 bore barrels are marked “London” on tops. Locks with waterproof pans, bridled roller frizzens, chamfered lockplates with rebated tails, and high breasted serpentine cocks, are fitted with sliding safeties, and are engraved with feather flourishes and “Parker” under pans on the lock face. traditional English style walnut stocks that have wraparound checkering with mullered borders on bag grips. “Stand of Arms”engraved trigger guards have stylized pineapple finials, and some original blueing. Stocks attach to the barrels with two sliding barrel slides, with no escutcheons. Horn tipped rosewood ramrods are held by two nicely filed, beaded, steel pipes. Both ramrods have steel, ball extractor worms. Original mahogany case has dual pivoting hook closure, and Parker's most distinctive inlet foldaway “D” handle. The interior is lined in traditional green pill-napped cloth, with W. Parker paper label on lid depicting pair of gentlemen gunners and their dogs. Case contains copper bag shaped powder flask, loading rod with mushroom tip, 1 cleaning brush. Covered compartments with turned brass knobs on covers, for the containing of flints and balls.



Excellent condition overall. Damascus twisted steel barrels in beautifully refreshed browning, Breech irons and locks retain a delightful patina. Trigger guards equally with nice patina. Stocks are excellent, retaining most of their original finish, edges and checkering sharp and very crisp, with a number of small use surface dents, handling marks, Bores are excellent. Locks and frizzens are crisp. Case is very fine retaining most of its original finish. Interior cloth is fine with light marks and soiling from contact with guns and accessories. Label is fine, slightly foxed and dented from contact with frizzen springs. Accessories are all fine, but incorrect mould, both pistols are 36 centimetres long overall, 23.4cm barrels, case size 21cm x 43.5 cm x 7.2 cm

William Parker was born to Thomas and Elizabeth in 1772, at Croscombe in Somerset. Nothing is known of his early years, but in 1792 the name William Parker appears in a Holborn rate book for the address of 233 High Holborn. This address had until the latter part of the eighteenth century been occupied by a John Field and his father–in–law John Clarke. Alongside his name in the rate book was that of ‘Widow Field’, a jeweller. At this time William was aged only 20 years and it is not fully understood under what pretext he started at this address. It is probable that he had been working at the location as an apprentice silversmith, as a business had operated there under the names of ‘Field & Clarke, silversmiths’ between the years 1784 and 1793.

The process of the name changing from Field and Clarke to William Parker started when John Field died around 1790. Entries with his name are recorded in the Holborn rate books from 1783 until 1790. In 1791 his name is still listed, but underlined and the word ‘Widw’ inserted. Records suggest John Clarke survived until at least May 1793, but it is probable he died around this time.

John Field’s marriage to Sarah Clarke had resulted in one surviving child, also called John born circa 1779 in the County of Middlesex. Following the death of John the elder William Parker married his widow Sarah on the 1 July 1792. It is not unusual for a new business to trade under an established name and this probably accounts for the name Field surviving in various forms for a few more years. Entries in trade directories confirm that by 1796-1797 William was operating under his own name as a sole trader, a situation that would continue until his death in 1841.

John Field the younger is often referred to as William’s ‘son-in-law’, but was in fact his step-son. In the nineteenth century the term ‘in-law’ meant related by marriage, but also extended to children, which is not the case now, when we would use the term step-son. William and Sarah appear to have had no other children, but John did marry and went on to have seven children of his own, three boys and four girls. The two eldest boys, John William Parker Field and William Shakespeare Field were to follow their father and grandfather’s trade as gun makers.

As a gun maker William Parker was a well known for producing a range of weapons from standard issue items to the finest duelling pistols. He later started to produce truncheons and other articles such as handcuffs, swords and rattles, and had the major contracts to supply arms and truncheons to the Metropolitan police of London.

Every single item from The Lanes Armoury is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of trading

Code: 24368