Industry news

Historical Russian pistols up for sale

Bonhams, one of the world’s oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques, is having their next sale of Antique Arms and Armour at their Knightsbridge, London, showroom on November 30 this year. This sale includes a pair of pistols which played a part in Russian history.

The flintlock pistols, which survive in fine condition and retain nearly all of their original finish are estimated to fetch between £22,000 and £25,000, says David Williams, director of Antique Arms and Armour at Bonhams.

The triggerguards of each pistol bear an applied steel shield encrusted in silver with a helmeted portrait bust, which bears a striking resemblance to and may be commemorating Count Alexei Grigorovich Orlov (1734-1808), believed to have been the ablest member of the Orlov family. He was one of the main actors in the Palace Revolution of 1762 which brought Catherine II, his brother Gregory’s lover, to the Russian throne.

Orlov was responsible for conveying Czar Peter III to Chateau Ropsha and overseeing his murder. In 1770, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet against the Turks, whose superior navy he defeated in July at Chesme.

In 1774, he received the honorific title Orlov-Chesmenskii and the privilege of quartering the Imperial Arms in his Coat of Arms. Following his retirement he devoted himself to horse breeding, producing the famous Orlov Trotter. On his death he left 30,000 serfs and an estate valued at 5 million roubles.

For more information, email press@bonhams.com

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