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Attractive Pair of C. Moore London Damascus Barreled Percussion Dueling Pistols with Fine Engraving

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Hand Guns - Pistols Start Price:1,200.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Attractive Pair of C. Moore London Damascus Barreled Percussion Dueling Pistols with Fine Engraving
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Attractive Pair of C. Moore London Damascus Barreled Percussion Dueling Pistols with Fine Engraving and Family Crest Inscribed Silver Panels -A) C. Moore London Percussion Pistol


A) Dovetailed blade front and notch rear sights, with the Damascus twist barrel fitted with a solid under lug and marked "-77 St. James's Street London-" on top and "CM 1223" on the underside, a silver banded breech marked "1223" on the back of the tang hook, bearing a deeply set silver proof stamp with a crown and "C. MOORE/LONDON/PATENT" and fitted with a platinum blow-out disc, and a scroll engraved tang. The lock plate and hammer are also engraved, with a rounded profile to the front and a squared-off rear tip, fitted with a sliding half-cock safety and marked "C. MOORE LONDON". The individual screw heads are floral engraved, with a pineapple finial on the scroll engraved trigger guard, "1223" on the rear finial and a 1/3 inch wide by half inch tall silver panel set in the stock behind the tang, engraved with a boar's head set in a crown, enclosed with a garter marked "NEC TEMERE, NEC TIMIDE", a Latin expression which translates to "Neither Rash Nor Timid". Of unknown origin, the expression was used by Aristotle as one of the descriptors of a virtuous man, and has been adopted as a motto by a number of families and institutions. Fitted with a gilt brass tipped ramrod with a bullet extraction screw and a checkered pistol grip stock, numbered "EA 1223" in the barrel cut, with a horn forearm tip, silver wedge escutcheons, and a rounded butt. Provenance: Gil Hebard Collection.

Manufucture: Moore
Model: flintlock
BBL: 9 1/2 inch octagon
Stock:
Guage: 46
Finish: bright
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 1223

Very good plus overall. The steel is showing a bright gray patina overall, with mild pitting on the barrel and trigger guard. Strong traces of the Damascus pattern are present, with crisp engraving and markings. A well aged patina is showing on the ramrod fittings, with significant verdigris on the extractor screw housing and strong traces of gold. The stock is very good, with a few light chips and dings, a small crack extending from the upper left corner of the lock, and some shifting of the varnish. Mechanically excellent.

B) Same as A, including the family crest and individual component numbers.

Manufucture: Moore
Model: flintlock
BBL: 9 1/2 inch octagon
Stock:
Guage: 46
Finish: bright
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 1223

Very good plus. The steel components are showing a gray patina overall, with pitting on the trigger guard and barrel, crisp engraving and strong markings. A strong blue finish is visible on the inside of the trigger guard and on the trigger plate. The escutcheons and crest plate show a dark, antique patina, and strong gold is present on the head of the ramrod. Stock is very good, with some dents and shifting of the varnish. Mechanically excellent. The exact circumstances behind the production of these pistols are unknown, but the quality of the fit and finish, matching numbers and subtle but attractive silver accents point towards them being produced as a matched pair for a person of high standing, resulting in a highly desirable set of antique London-made pistols.