A fine Dagestani Miquelet-Lock Holster Pistol, circa 1870

with etched barrel formed with a sighting flat and retained by three nielloed silver bands chased with foliage on a gilt matted ground, encrusted over the flat, the muzzle and the breech with gold foliage and inscriptions, the latter stamped with a gold filled barrelsmith's mark, gold-encrusted steel tang extending over the spine of the butt and incorporating the back-sight, gold-encrusted lock with a calligraphic panel on the main spring, highly figured walnut half-stock applied with numerous silver panels decorated with niello and gold en suite with the barrel bands, bulbous pommel encased in matching silver, steel trigger and trigger-plate encrusted with gold and brass-tipped ramrod   

By tradition: presented to Robert Browning by Ernest Benzon
Sotheby, Wilkingson & Hodge, The Browning Collection, May 1913

This remains in generally good to very good condition with only very small areas of light wear.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Robert Browning, (1812-1889) is one of England's foremost Victorian poets, who became particularly renowned for his mastery of dramatic verse and monologues. It is noted that Browning visited Russia once in 1838, but the offered lot is believed to have been presented to Browning by Ernest Benzon at a later date and is sold with a framed handwritten note describing the weapon and adding: Belonged to Robert Browning to whom is was bequeathed by his friend Ernest Benzon. Presented by Florence L. Barclay. 

Pamela Neville Sington of the Browning Society describes Benzon as a rather enigmatic figure. A German-born steel magnate, his elaborate parties at 10 Kensington Palace Gardens in London from 1862 to 1873 drew guests such as Felix Mendelssohn and George Eliot. Robert Browning and his son Pen were also Benzon's guests at his estate at Loch Tummel in Perthshire.

Florence L. Barclay (1862-1920), was a great admirer of Browning's and a successful novelist in her own right. In May 1913 she attended Sotheby, Wilkingson & Hodge's six-day auction of the Browning collection making a number of purchases, including a writing table, Browning's wife's favourite chair and this pistol.