Pair of rare royal pistols sell for £22k at auction

A pair of rare pistols from the private collection of an 18th Century prince have sold at auction for £22,680.

The guns were owned by Prince Augustus Frederick, the first Duke of Sussex, the sixth son of King George III.

They were made in the 1790s by the esteemed Spanish gunsmith Francisco Targarona and are believed to have been given to the prince as a diplomatic gift.

The pair were sold at a special sale of medals and coins, arms and armour at Woolley & Wallis, in Salisbury.

The duke was well liked and noted for championing societal freedom and reform.

He was also known for his large weapons collection, which was put up for auction on his death in 1843, including the pistols.

The guns are Spanish 22 bore convertible 'Madrid' lock pistols, which date from about 1795.

They are highly decorative, with geometric and floral accents, and can be fitted together to create a short, single gun.

They are housed in a fitted mahogany case with velvet lining. On the outside, the case has an oval silver plate on its lid engraved "Purchased at the sale of His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, 1845".

Ned Cowell, arms & armour specialist at Woolley & Wallis said: "This unique pair of pistols have a fascinating history and represent the pinnacle of the gunmaker's art.

"We are pleased to have seen them into the care of the next proud owner."

Other items in the sale included a selection of military medals, rare coins, swords, cannons and a coronation robe worn in 1937 and in 1953.

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