Pair of Flintlock Pistols

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Similar pistols were included in the gift of arms presented by the dey of Algiers to the Prince Regent (the future George IV of Great Britain) in 1811 and 1819, evidence of the high esteem in which these coral-decorated firearms were held.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.

Metropolitan Museum of Art