A Matched Pair of French flintlock Cannon Barrel Coat Pistols by Tordu, circa 1750

A quality pair of pistols for the city French gentleman in the mid 1700’s
Tordu appears to have been a maker of quality barrels in St Etienne in the mid 1700’s and various firearms ranging from double-barrelled flintlock pistols to flintlock rifles appear at auction from time to time. Our pistols feature two-stage octagonal/round cannon barrels with iron furniture and engraved birds-head butts. Apart from TORDU engraved on each barrel, the remander of the parts are smooth while the European walnut butts are carved with acanthus foliate at the wrist. Unusually, the wooden ramrods – one with cleaning eye and the oter with worm screw – are both originals.

Pairs like these and of this era are becoming increasingly rare as they enter the collections of investment collectors.