Small pistols of this kind were designed to be carried by a lady whilst travelling, as they could be easily concealed within a muff, worn to protect hands from cold.
These examples are of high-quality manufacture; the chased silver pommels are each fitted with a gold cap engraved with the arms of Cecil.
They are in their original lined and fitted case, with a dispenser for powder and percussion caps, a turned ivory patch box, a soft leather bag for cast lead balls and a precision screwpull for unloading balls.
Whilst small, pistols such as these were quite capable of disabling an attacker. Their date suggests that they would have belonged to Isabella, 2nd Marchioness of Exeter (1803-1879.)
