Early dueling pistols did NOT have sights. Sights were an addition to dueling pistols about the beginning of the 19th Century (1800+).
A quote here:
The golden era of the dueling pistol in Britain lasted from around 1770 to 1850. By 1780 it was stated that "pistols are the weapons now generally made use of." Robert Wogdon was the most celebrated of the manufacturers of flintlock dueling pistols, whose object was to make a nicely balanced, fine handling, accurate and often intentionally beautiful pistol. Wogdon began working as a gunmaker in London in 1765 and opened a shop in the fashionable Haymarket at the end of 1774. Atkinson estimates the number of lives claimed by Wogdon pistols in the "many hundreds," earning Wogdon the sobriquet of the "patron of that leaden death."
It might be interesting to see if the "RW" mark on these pistols is that of Robert Wogdon, a London maker of dueling pistols.
In 2005, Cowan's Auctions sold a 1777 Coach Pistol with the same proof markings as on these pistols. This is a different style pistol, but the same proof marks (London, second proof) are on this dated pistol.
It would appear that you have made quite a find. It would really add to the authenticity and value of this fine pair of pistols if you could attribute them to a name or family. Pistols like these would not have been for the "ordinary" folks, but more for the Military Officer or Upper Class citizens of the era.
Source: Cowan's Auctions Inc.
blunderbuss style, 15.5 long with brass barrel marked London in script having two oval proof marks, crown over interlocking GP and crown over V.
London Proof House address:
The Proof Master,
The Proof House,
48 Commercial Road,
London.
E1 1LP
Telephone: +44 207 481 2695
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