One of a pair of cannon barrel flintlock pistols said to have belonged to Captain Sir Richard Pearson 1731-1806. The pistols have walnut stocks which are inlaid with silver wire. The butt cap is fitted with a grotesque mask also made of silver. The pistols have plain, silver, oval escutcheons and steel solid triggers with a backward curl. The pistols have boxlock, flintlock locks which are mounted centrally and robust brass barrels which are made to unscrew. They are divided into four sections and there is a rectangualr lug underneath both. One of the pistols bears the inscription 'Innes Plymouth'. These pistols were sold in 1931 with relics of Captain Pearson by a descendant of Pearson. They were said to have been used by Pearson in the action against the 'Bonhomme Richard' in 1779. However the hallmark on the pistols is too late for this action as it dates from 1783-1784. Captain Pearson entered the Royal Navy in 1745 and was in comand of the 'Serapis' when she was engaged in action with John Paul Jones and the 'Bonhomme Richard' off Flamborough Head.