These 19th century Scottish belt pistols have three-stage, smoothbore barrels with Scottish thistle engraving on the mid-sections, floral patterns on the muzzle sections which are octagonal and lightly flared, ribbed breech sections with gold vent liners, and filework at the breech ends. The rainproof locks have frizzen spring rollers, "MARSHALL & SONS" signed on rectangular gold inlaid panels, floral and martial engraving, and sliding half-cock safeties. The triggers are shaped like golden acorns. The blued steel stocks have gold inlaid floral patterns on the forends, gold inlaid thistle and scroll patterns on the underside of the mid-sections, gold inlaid martial trophies and thistle patterns on the sides of the wrists with a Scottish shield on the right and English shield on the left, more gold inlaid thistle designs along with blank gold ovals on the back of the wrists, raised gilt-silver inlays towards the bottom of the wrists inscribed with a waxing crescent moon over a torse on the right and the initials "DP" on the left, and gilt-silver "ramshorn" butts with threaded acorn vent picks. Nicely sculpted ramrods are fitted under the barrels, and belt hooks are fitted on the left side of the stocks. The pair comes with a later custom wood case with a mainspring vice, measure, powder flask, oiler, punch, over-sized ball mold, and screwdriver. "Marshall & Sons" appears to be for William Marshall & Sons of Edinburgh, Scotland. William Marshall is listed in period directories and sources from the 19th century as a goldsmith. He and Marshall & Sons are also listed as jewelers and silversmiths in Edinburgh, Scotland, and were goldsmiths to Queen Victoria, Princess Louise, The Royal Company of Archers, and the Royal Caledonian Hunt. One of his sons was William Calder Marshall, the renown Scottish sculptor. Marshall & Sons have also been listed as gunmakers in some texts on Scottish gunmakers. It was not uncommon for jewelers in the period to stock and sometimes embellish in-house fine pistols for their genteel clients. The crescent moon over a torse crest on the right wrist escutcheon and the "DP" initials on the left wrist escutcheon are for an unknown member of the Pettigrew family.

Exceptionally fine overall with 60% original blue finish concentrated on the metal stock on the forend and midsection, silver-gray patina on the lock, light aged patina on the exposed silver, gray and brown patina on the barrel, mild age on the gold, replaced oval escutcheon on the wrist and a crack and some gold inlay absent nearby, crisp engraving, and some light oxidation and pitting. Mechanically excellent. The custom-made case and accessories are very good with storage related wear.

See "A."

Exceptionally fine with 70% original blue finish concentrated on the stock, silver-gray patina on the lock, some slivers of gold inlay absent, mild age and wear on the gold, replaced top jaw and jaw screw, some mild oxidation and pitting, and generally mild overall wear. Mechanically excellent. Overall, a highly embellished and very attractive pair of gold inlaid and engraved 19th century metal stocked Scottish belt pistols.