A pair of pistols once owned by Lieutenant Colonel John Colby (1751-1823) of the Pembrokeshire Militia and Governor of Haverfordwest Castle at the time of the last invasion of Britain, now known as the Battle of Fishguard, will be sold at Bonhams Antique Arms and Armour auction on November 26th.

This cased pair of 40-bore percussion duelling pistols by D. Egg, London, circa 1795 is estimated to sell for £3,500 to £4,500.

The brief campaign in which these pistols featured involved a military invasion of Great Britain by Revolutionary France during the War of the First Coalition and took place between 22 and 24 February 1797

After landing 1,400 troops and securing a number of farmhouses inland the French forces were bluffed into believing they faced superior numbers and accepted unconditional surrender.

The invasion was the plan of General Lazare Hoche, who devised a three-pronged attack on Britain in support of Irish Republicans under Wolfe Tone. Two forces would land in Britain as a diversion, while the main body would land in Ireland. Poor weather and indiscipline halted two of the forces, the third, aimed at landing in Wales and marching on Bristol, went ahead. The invasion force were from the La Legion Noire (commonly known as the 'The Black Legion') under the command of Irish American Colonel William Tate, 800 of whom were irregulars. Transported on four French warships under the command of Commodore Jean-Joseph Castagnier, Tate's forces landed near Fishguard, under the cover of darkness, putting ashore 17 boatloads of troops, 47 barrels of gun powder, 50 tons of cartridges and grenades, and 2,000 stands of arms, none of it used in the end.

David Williams, Head of Bonhams Antique Arms and Armour Department says: “These pistols are a reminder of the last invasion of Britain and as such are of great interest to collectors and historians even though they were not fired in anger and a bluff prevented a bloodbath.”