Silver flintlock pistols of King George III's Aide-de-Camp auction in UK

Alexander Ross (1742-1827) led quite a life. His extraordinary record of distinguished combat was earned in wars on three continents: Europe, America and India.

Now collectors have a chance to own his Indian 28-bore silver-mounted flintlock pistols with silver barrels. They are appearing with a £30,000-40,000 presale estimate at Bonhams' next sale of Antique Arms and Armour in London on April 18.

Ross was gifted the Indian 28-bore silver-mounted flintlock pistols with silver barrels in 1792 by Lt. Col. Claude Martin (1735-1800).

Martin was a Frenchman who deserted his army to join the East Indian Company. He later became Superintendent of Artillery and Arsenals to the Nawab of Oudh, and later establishing the Lucknow Arsenal in 1779.

The American War of Independence

Ross, meanwhile, entered the army as an Ensign in the 50th Foot in 1760. He soon rose through the ranks, including serving in Germany in the Seven Years War and in the American War of Independence as Captain of Grenadiers.

Ross afterwards became Aide-de-Camp to Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquis Cornwallis, one of the key British commanders of the campaign. He later described Ross as "a very deserving officer" to the Secretary of State for the American Colonies, Lord George Germain.

The Siege of Yorktown

Another promotion brought Ross to the Siege of Yorktown when he served as Major. Alongside Colonel Thomas Dundas, he was one of the two British participants to encourage the surrender of the town.

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Alexander Ross's silver-mounted flintlock pistols

However, the siege also resulted in Cornwallis's surrender. He was placed on parole until the close of hostilities. Ross's attempts to help him, including travelling to Paris in 1782 in an effort to exchange an American diplomat in return for Cornwallis's release from parole, proved unsuccessful.

The Third Anglo-Mysore War

The following year, 1783, Ross was again promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and appointed Deputy Adjutant-General in Scotland. He later transferred to India after Cornwallis was appointed Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief there in 1786.

It is understood that Ross remained in India until about 1794. But it was no vacation, he was present in every action that took place. This included the Third Anglo-Mysore War (1789-92) against Tipu Sultan.

Aide-de-Camp to King George III

Cornwallis and Ross both returned to England, and each continued their ascent in the history books. Particularly Ross, who was appointed Aide-de-Camp to King George III.

It was between this appointment and his later promotion to the rank of Major-General in 1795 that Ross was gifted the Indian 28-bore silver-mounted flintlock pistols with silver barrels by Lt. Col. Claude Martin.

This historic pistols owned by an incredible man will undoubtedly draw and captivate collectors at Bonhams' next sale of Antique Arms and Armour in London.



 

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