John Blissett (1808-1872) was the son of Isaac Blissett who was a gun dealer, maker, as well as a jeweler and perfumer. John is listed as an independent gunmaker and jeweler as early as 1832 and was active until his death in 1872. This c. mid-19th century pair of "traveling pistols" features smoothbore browned Damascus barrels with concave ribs signed "JOHN BLISSETT. 321. HIGH HOLBORN. LONDON./MAKER TO H.R.H. THE DUKE OF SUSSEX", and equipped with bead front sights and dovetailed notch rear sights. Each pistol is equipped with a swivel mounted ramrod. The undersides of the barrels have London proof marks. The casehardened breech plug rib extensions have inlaid dual gold bands and scroll engraving. The casehardened standing breeches have scroll engraving as do the blued mounts and casehardened pommel caps. The latter have trapdoor compartments and swivels. The scroll and border engraved back action locks are signed "JOHN BLISSETT./LONDON." The stocks have checkered wrists and nickel-silver escutcheons. The pair comes in a fitted case with a Blissett trade label and a suite of accessories.

Fine with bright gold bands, crisp engraving, light patterns of original brown and casehardened finish mixed with gray and brown patina on the barrels and locks, minor oxidation, chipped rear sight, 80% original blue on the mounts, 30% original case colors on the pommel cap, and fairly minor age and storage related wear overall. The stock is very fine and has crisp checkering, minor scratches, and nearly all of the high gloss finish. Mechanically fine. The case and accessories are fine with mild storage wear including some tears and repairs on the interior and repaired crack in the refinished lid.

As described in "A." Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection

Fine with bright gold bands, crisp engraving, light original brown and casehardened finish mixed with gray and brown patina on the barrels and locks along with spots of minor oxidation, 60% plus original blue on the mounts, visible original case colors on the pommel cap and standing breech, and fairly minor age and storage related wear overall. The stock is very fine and has crisp checkering, minor scratches, and nearly all of the high gloss finish. Mechanically fine. Overall, this is an attractive and desirable pair of English traveling pistols.