PAIR OF FLINTLOCK PISTOLS BY JOHANN JACOB BEHR, circa 1720. 34625

PAIR OF JOHANN JACOB BEHR FLINTLOCK PISTOLS, circa 1720. 34625

Carved fruitwood stock decorated with various foliage reliefs and volutes with the tip of the barrel in black wood (ebony?), a mark from the gunstock maker is imprinted near the trigger guard: "S-O-N?" inscribed within a triangle. All fittings are polished brass: butt cap resembling a lion's head highlighted with a complex vegetal decoration, intricately pierced sideplate, grooved trigger guard with chiseled floral palmettes at the ends and engraved inside the trigger guard with the "N°37" repeated on each pistol. Grooved ramrod pipes. Square lockplate engraved with the name of gunsmith Johann Jacob Behr "J.J.BEHR" originating from Wurzburg in Bavaria, known for his activities in Liege and Maastricht, primarily active from 1720 to 1740. Octagonal barrel with brass rear sight; small control stamps are struck under the breech: "Z-L and P".
Overall length of pistols: 50 cm; barrel length: 33.6 cm; bore diameter: 1.6 cm; weight: 1.250 kg.

Germany
18th century, reign of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles VI of Habsburg, circa 1720.
Very good condition, modern ramrods.

PROVENANCE :
Ancienne collection PM.

BIOGRAPHY:
Johann Jacob Behr (also seen as Johann Jakob Behr, J. J. Behr, I. I. Behr, or II. Behr) was a gunsmith / Büchsenmacher of the first half of the 18th century, particularly noteworthy for his association with several great armory centers in the German-speaking regions and the Southern Netherlands.
Birth: 1679, probably before April 6.
Death: December 30, 1746 in Liege.
Origin: Würzburg (Wurtzbourg), in Franconia, nowadays in Bavaria. He is documented as a gunmaker, cannon manufacturer, and lock engraver. His career is tied notably to Würzburg, Wallerstein, Darmstadt, Maastricht, and Liege.
Behr was not formally enrolled in the gunsmiths' guild in Würzburg but had nevertheless received authorization to practice under certain conditions. Two of his children were born there in 1709 and 1713. After 1713, he is no longer documented in Würzburg.
In 1726, he obtained citizenship in Liege on August 21. He remained there until his death in 1746.

Behr produced pistols, rifles, carbines, and defense weapons, mainly flintlock. His work is generally dated from the first third to the second quarter of the 18th century. The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam notably houses a flintlock pistol attributed to Johann Jacob Behr, made in Liege circa 1720-1740. The lockplate is signed "II. BEHR." The weapon features elaborate copper/brass fittings, engraved decorations, and bronze elements. The Rijksmuseum also attributes a flintlock fortress gun, dated from 1700-1710, to him, which is intriguing as it could indicate Behr's relatively early activity. There are also known luxury pairs of pistols bearing the signature I.I. BEHR. For instance, Christie's has described a pair from around 1730, with twisted decorated barrels, gilded brass mounts, and carved walnut stocks. The description mentions that Behr also worked in Maastricht and Liege and that his weapons are held in various old German collections.

His activity in Liege was particularly significant. Behr was part of the longstanding tradition of Liege gunsmiths who, in the early 18th century, supplied arms to different European powers.

An especially interesting example is related to Prussia under Frederick William I. Orders for weapons were placed in Liege in 1718 and 1720, and Behr seems to have been one of the suppliers. One or more pairs of military pistols from his production are connected to purchases meant for the Prussian army. A cavalry pistol from 1713 bearing Behr's signature notably features the monogram FWR, for Friedrich Wilhelm Rex (Frederick William I), along with a regimental mark.
He was not only an artisan making luxurious civilian arms but also a gunsmith capable of working on significant military commissions.