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Cased Mid-19th Century Belgian Presentation Set

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:11,000.00 USD Estimated At:12,000.00 - 16,000.00 USD
Cased Mid-19th Century Belgian Presentation Set
Auction Location:

16600 Aston Street
Irvine, CA
Large and Impressive Cased Mid-19th Century Belgian Presentation Set, consisting of (1) Liege proofed fancy single shot percussion pistol, approx. .44 cal., 7'' fancy damascened barrel, lightly floral engraved lockplate, hammer, end cap, triggerguard, buttcap, and escutcheons; stock appears to be darkly stained fluted rosewood with finial-tipped burnished steel buttcap; bugle-headed ramrod is threaded at one end. (2) Liege proofed six-shot floral engraved percussion pepperbox pistol, #2373, marked ''Mariette Brevete'', approx. .36 cal., 2-5/8'' screw-on fancy damascened barrel group, each recoil shield and breech end of barrel is similarly marked ''1'' thru ''6'', with rosewood bag-shaped grips. (3) Highly ornate relief decorated double-edged dagger, 7'' blade, 11-1/2'' overall, with high relief intricately cast handle showing vine and gargoyle motifs, in addition to dragons in profile with tails terminating in vine and floral scrolls, additional blue bell fillets emit s!
croll work terminating in bird's head devices; sheath is similarly adorned, and also includes gargoyle faces, bodies, intertwined dragons with bat-type wings, and musical cherubs. Blade is multiple grooved with a pierced central groove. (4) Wire inlaid rosewood French-fitted case is lined in dusty muted green cotton velveteen and contains ramrod, wood mallet, hand-carved wooden screwdriver with iron blade, .44 & .36 cal. bullet molds, small European type bag-shaped powder flask, adjustable powder measure, four turned wooden containers the smallest of which contains an icon of the Virgin Mary, as well as one brass-turned oiler. All wooden items appear to be made from a blond fruitwood. Overall set is in excellent condition with light tarnishing to brass hardware on accoutrements, and darkening to iron bullet mold and blade of screwdriver. Pistols and knife show light general overall patina. A very small portion at tip of large pistol finial is missing, as is a fraction!
al piece of material belonging to the pommel of knife handle (!
neither
is noticeable when cased and detracts very little overall). Interior lid of case shows impressions and minor darkening from oil, but with a nice generally pleasing patina. All 12 fire blued hinge screws are present. Exterior of case shows minor restoration which was professionally executed. A very seldom seen European ensemble dating from the first half of the 19th Century. Est.: $12,000-$16,000.