2199

EXCEPTIONALLY FINE, GASTINNE RENETTE SIDELEVER TARGET/SHOT PISTOL WITH CASE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
EXCEPTIONALLY FINE, GASTINNE RENETTE SIDELEVER TARGET/SHOT PISTOL WITH CASE.
SN 12. Cal. .32 ga. 2-1/2" Chamber. Smooth bore. Considerable choke. A best quality single shot pistol has 14" fluid steel bbl with flat, tapered, matted, full length integral rib engraved "GASTINNE RENETTE A PARIS" in unmatted portion. Breech area has scroll engraved, beautifully filed, bolsters. There are no proof marks anywhere on this pistol (pre 1897). Bottom of bbl is stamped "GR" and with SN. Beautifully filed, case hardened, miniature, bar-in-wood side lever action is fitted with U-notch rear sight. Bar action lock has rebated tail of plate and nicely filed serpentine hammer. Action and lock are engraved with nicely cut, simple, small scroll with rose bouquet highlights, reminiscent of England's "best" style. Side lever and spurred trigger guard are charcoal blued and scroll engraved. Finely figured European walnut stock extends to long bell-shaped grip with heavy case hardened steel cap. Point pattern checkering with double line borders wraps around grip. Short, uncheckered forend attaches to bbl with captive side nail through engraved steel lozenge shaped escutcheons. This unusual pistol comes in its original tan leather case with double latch closure with carrying straps. Top of case is embossed with initials "W.E.C." Interior is lined in light tan kidskin and has lidded compartment containing cleaning jag and Turk's head. A long compartment contains ebony headed swiveling cleaning rod. In "The Art of Wingshooting",Leffingwell, 1895, the author states that Annie Oakley owned two single-barreled pistols made by this celebrated maker. These pistols had 14-inch barrels, and were made expressly for pigeon shooting. With them Miss Oakley scored nine out of ten pigeons from two traps, using one-half ounce of shot. Guns of this type were also used in simulated dueling competitions using wax projectiles at the Gastinne-Renette Gallery in Paris. Noted shooting expert Chevalier Ira Paine was awarded the Grand Medal d'Or on many occasions at these annual events. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, near new, as found. Bbl retains nearly all its orig bright blue, silvered slightly at muzzle, with a few minor marks, mostly on bottom. Action and lock retain nearly all their orig case hardening color. Side lever and trigger guard have slight silvering of their orig blue. Stocks retain nearly all their orig oil finish, which is quite dry. There is a 3/4" shrinkage crack running from top of trigger plate toward front of action. Gun has obviously been in storage for a very long time with congealed oil on bright polish of lumps, and clouding brightness of case hardening. Bore is excellent, bright and shiny. Action is tight, bbl is on face. Lock is crisp. Case leather has darkened slightly, and has a few minor rubs. Carrying straps and handle are fine. Interior leather has some soiling and rubs through from contact with gun. Lid of interior compartment has detached, and needs attention. Cleaning accessories are excellent. A superb investment quality, unusual creation, of this highly regarded French maker. 4-46077 MGM11