A Small Flintlock Pocket Pistol by Ketalnd & Co. London. With round turn-off barrel, decorated with a gold band at the muzzle, and an engraved geometric band towards the breech, engraved box-lock action, decorated with sprays of foliage at the breech and stamped beneath with London proofs, both decorated with gold covering, signed on gold panels to the right ‘London’ and ‘Ketland & Co’ to the right, surrounded by stands of arms, sliding thumb-piece safety catch, slab sided walnut butt shield shaped escutcheon bearing the original owners initials.

Ketland [1740-1804]
William Ketland, Sr., established a gunsmithy at Birmingham in 1740, and after his death his eldest grandson, William Ketland, carried on the business until his death in 1804. During this period they operated under the name of Ketland & Co. It is not definitely known when they opened the London shop but it is believed to be about 1760, and were one of the first birmingham gunmakers to compete with London gunmakers of fine workmanship. The Ketlands arms mark later developed into the Birmingham Proof Mark. William Ketland II's brother-in-law, Thomas Izon continued to operate the company under the name Ketland & Co. until 1831, when they got into financial difficulties and the firm ceased operations.

William Ketalns, Sr., had two other grandsons, Thomas and John Ketland, both gunsmiths who worked on a co-operative basis with William Ketland under the name Ketalnd & Co. However, Thomas and John emigrated foto the USA in 1780. A number of American Kentucky rifles had Ketalnd & Co locks. 

Ketland & Co flintlock pistols and fowling pieces are noted for their fine workmanship and design.

A. Merwyn Carey (1954) English, Irish and Scottish Firearms Makers, Acro Publishing Company, New York.

Dimensions:
Bore: 80 Bore
Barrel Length: 1.25 Inches (3.17 cm)
Overall Length: 4.5 Inches (11.43 cm)