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Spectacular Cased Engraved Silver Inlaid Matching Pair of William Moore Flintlock Pistols

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:6,000.00 USD Estimated At:12,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD
Spectacular Cased Engraved Silver Inlaid Matching Pair of William Moore Flintlock Pistols
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This matching pair of flintlock pistols feature Damascus pattern 4 inch octagon barrels with 2 silver inlaid bands on the top three flats at the breech end, silver around the touch hole and marked "WILLIAM MOORE, LONDON." on the top flat. There is a bead front and notch rear sights and the barrel tang is floral scroll engraved. The bottom flat is marked with a "crown/V" and "crown/GP" proof mark. The lock, hammer, flash pan and frizzen are casehardened, with a fire blue spring. The lock is equipped with a sliding hammer safety, and has light floral scroll engraving at the rear, a scallop border, partial sunburst around the upper screw and is marked "W. MOORE". Casehardened iron swivel ramrod mounted on the muzzle end of the barrel, blue pipe and trigger guard with light scroll engraving on the trigger guard, with geometric border and a leaf motif on the finial. Mounted with a nicely figured varnished walnut stock with checkered grip area and silver thumb oval. The stock wedge and escutcheon are a fire blue. The pair are complete in an English walnut case with green felt lining, with affixed label reading "William Moore/From Mr. Joseph Manton's/Gun Manufacturer/Edgeware Road/London" and "78" in the lower left hand corner. In the case is a red leather covered brass combination powder/ball and spare flint flask, iron bullet mold and refinished key. In the mid to late 1830s William Moore was appointed Gun maker-in-Ordinary to King William IV and appointed gun makers to Prince Albert. Included are papers that identify these pistols as once belonging to the H.O. Hodson collection.
BBL: 4 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 50
Finish: brown/blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Excellent. The pistol retains 95% plus original brown finish on the barrel with some edge wear. All of the Damascus pattern remains. The lock and hammer retain 95% original bright case colors. The trigger guard retains 90% original blue finish with some wear to a smooth gray on the front strap from normal handling. The spring and wedge escutcheons retain 98% original bright fire blue finish. The stock is also excellent with a few minor dents, sharp edges on the flats and crisp checkering. The markings and engraving are clear and crisp. The action is tight as new. The case is excellent with a minor crack in the lid and minimal contact wear on the lining. The flask is very good plus and the mold is good having been cleaned.

B) Described in "A".
BBL: 4 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 50
Finish: brown/blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Excellent. The barrel retains 95% plus original brown finish with some edge wear and all of the Damascus pattern remaining. The trigger guard retains 95% original blue finish with some edge wear, some thinning to gray on the finial and several minor scratches on the front strap. The lock and hammer retain 98% original bright case colors. The wedge escutcheons and spring retain 98% original bright fire blue finish. The stock is also excellent with 98% plus original varnish, sharp flat edges, a few minor handling marks and crisp checkering. The action is tight as new.