Keith Neal Warminster Flintlock Manstoppers!

This magnificent pair of substantial flintlock travelling pistols are ex-Keith Neal collection.
William Keith Neal (1905-1990) amassed probably the most significant collection of arms in private ownership in Europe of a period of several decades and was regarded as a preeminent authority and author on antique firearms. . At one point he owned more than 2000 firearms including no less than six items from the Cabinet d'Armes of King Louis X111 of France including a remarkable high percentage of the finest recorded privately owned European antique guns. Mr Neal took pride in the fact that he was a "shooter first and a collector afterwards" and is reputed to have fired every gun in his collection at least once , sometimes out of the window of his library!
Mr Neal lived near Warminster in Wiltshire and this pair of pistols is reputed to be one of his most regarded possessions because of the local association and he named them his "Warminster Manstoppers"
The pistols are of quality and are 20 bore and accompanied with the correct mould and some accessories but in a later relined case. The pistols retain their original deep browning on the twist barrels and have their metal Keith Neal museum tags extant as can be seen in the image of the pistols in-situ in their case.
The pistols have swan necked cocks with safety together with semi waterproof pans with captive ramrods and the makers name "Warminster" on the flats. These travelling pistols were probably made by a London maker for the local retail trade as other weapons marked "Warminster" eluded Keith Neal despite years of searching.
Despite efforts to retain the collection intact for the nation, the Keith Neal collection was sold by Christies at auction over a period of several years commencing in 1995.
A rare opportunity to acquire an interesting pair with outstanding provenance.

Code: 50228