A pair of revolving flintlock pistols dating: 1880 - 1889 circa provenance: Russia, Smoothbore, browned, two-stage, 10 mm cal. barrels, first octagonal with signature 'IVAN POLIN' (in Cyrillic) in gold; the round segments with gilded foresights and nozzle with moulded muzzle. Five-shot, gilt brass cylinders with iron disc-shaped ends; on the front side a loading gate. Large, one-piece, gilded tang with vent block, provided on the back with a sliding rear sight, which can unlock the cylinder once pulled, thus allowing the chambers to be rotated manually. Flintlock with rounded lock plate marked 'TULA' in Cyrillic gold. Anti-friction system and sealing pan. Stock and fore-end made of wood (a pistol with a very small missing part) with micro-checkered base. Gilt brass mounts, the trigger guard engraved with a trophy, a medallion with monogram under crown on the back. The pair is accompanied by its flask complete with ball magazine and steel bullet mold. During historicism, these guns were most likely made by an expert gunsmith given their high quality. The work was probably commissioned by a collector of the time who wanted to have these rare relics (originally made by Ivan Polin, probably for Tsar Alexander I) in his collection. These items date back to the Napoleonic era. length 43.5 cm.