2301
MAGNIFICENT RENWICK-LOCKE AMERICAN GOLD INLAID FLINTLOCK DUELING PISTOLS BY JAMES HASLETT, BALTIMORE
Currency:USD
Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory
Start Price:37,500.00 USD
Estimated At:75,000.00 - 125,000.00 USD
SOLD
170,000.00USDto floor+ buyer's premium
This item SOLD at 2013 Oct 15 @ 13:54UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT
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A full invoice should be emailed to the winner by the auctioneer within a day or two.
Certainly the most luxurious pair of American flintlock dueling pistols in private hands, these pistols first appeared and are illustrated in October, 1929 in the Antiquarium magazine. Described as a "Pair of very rare early American pistols made by James Haslett of Baltimore in 1800. They have superb gold inlay and are finely chased". It is presumed that they were acquired by William Goodwin Renwick (1886-1971) at this time. Mr. Renwick was one of the few collectors whose collections were acquired prior to World War II. Renwick owned some of the finest guns in the world and the Hasletts together with a splendid over under flintlock pistol by Simeon North were sold at Sotheby Parke Burnett Los Angeles on October 1, 1972. They were purchased at the sale by the legendary William Locke for the then incredible price of $20,000. Mr. Locke had coveted these pistols since before the second World War and would have paid whatever it took to acquire them. It is interesting to note that lot 112 in the same sale, a Colt Paterson revolving carbine presented by the State of Rhode Island to Henry Clark, sold for $12,000 to Herb Glass. This Paterson Carbine was sold at Butterfield & Butterfield in 1993 for $165,000 plus 10%. James Haslett opened his gun shop in Baltimore at the "Sign of the Golden Gun in 1803". Having trained under the Irish gunsmith Robert McCormick, Haslett brought many of the Irish refinements to America. It is highly unusual to find extensive use of gold inlay on English dueling pistols. The inlay on the Haslett duelers can only be described as exuberant for the period. The sunburst on the top jaws is gold inlaid. The front sight is of solid gold and bordered with two heavy gold inlaid feathers. The breeches are inlaid with a stand of arms and a riband engraved Haslett, Baltimore. Breech end of the bbls is inlaid with a lightning bolt or an arrow and a flaming bomb. Locks are inlaid with a golden spray over a deeply sunken gold filled makers mark Haslett. Trigger guard has an acorn finial inlaid with gold and a further stand of arms inlaid in gold on the trigger guard itself. Steel buttcaps are inlaid with a large silver urn and flowers in gold and silver. The touch holes are lined in gold as are the pan covers. Case hardened bolt and locks are superbly made in the finest English tradition with roller bearing frizzens, push-on safeties and tilt-down pans which are refinement found only on the finest Irish flintlock dueling pistols. The wedge escutcheons, forend cap and thumb piece are of silver. The half stocks are of the finest and most highly figured walnut of characteristic American form with finely checkered butts. Octagonal bbls are heavy and highly sophisticated with a full channel for sighting. These duelers have set triggers and are of the finest quality throughout. There are only two sets of American flintlock dueling pistols known that are finer than these. They were by Simeon North, commissioned by the State of Connecticut for presentation to Thomas McDonough and Isaac Hull which are solid gold mounted and are in the USS Constitution Museum and the Smithsonian Institution respectively. The Hasletts are cased in a very fine quality French fitted walnut case with full accessories. Case appears to be of a slightly later period but fits the pistols well and compliments them. NOTES: The Renwick-Locke Haslett dueling pistols are quite simply the finest American flintlock duelers James D. Julia has ever offered and represent a unique opportunity to acquire the very best American flintlock pistols in private hands today. PROVENANCE: Clapp & Graham Company, 1929; William Goodwin Renwick, 1929-1972; William Lock, 1972-1973; Tom Seymour, 1973-1987; Exhibited National Portrait Gallery, 1980-1981, cover illustration; William Locke collection, pg. 407, Connoisseur Magazine, March 1981; Steel Canvas, R.L. Wilson, pg. 78. Frank Sujansky Collection. CONDITION: Locks retain all orig small parts including finely engraved hammer screws and retain virtually all orig bold and vivid color case hardening. Bbls retain nearly all their orig striped brown finish with much orig lacquer brown on top. Finely engraved breeches retain nearly all of their color hardening. Trigger guards retain much orig blue finish. Buttcaps have some extremely minor erosion around edges of one pistol; the other with very minor staining. Stocks are virtually pristine retaining nearly all their orig high polish varnish finish. One pistol with extremely minor age crack around locks screw escutcheon. Both ramrods are orig to the pistol; one plain, the other with worm. 4-49501 MRZ50
Auction Location:
203 Skowhegan Rd, Fairfield, Maine, 04937, United States
Previewing Details:
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, October 11-13, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., October 14, 15 & 16, 8:00–10:00 a.m.
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
21% |
Additional Fees:
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CONDITIONS OF SALE - PLEASE READ
Please be sure to read the conditions before participating in the sale.
For years, we have worked hard to develop a reputation for honesty and fairness. We have tried to apply this same principle in preparing this particular sale. So that you might know what the limitations are for this sale, we have tried to clearly outline the conditions below, which will specifically indicate how various circumstances will be handled.
1. GUARANTEE: We have attempted to make a consistent effort in cataloging and correctly describing the property to be sold. The catalog descriptions carry a limited guarantee. Please be sure that you know that. It is a guarantee to protect you against major discrepancies that would have a major effect upon the value of the item. Under no circumstances do we guarantee against anything less than a major discrepancy that would have less than a major effect upon value. This limited guarantee covers authenticity. It also covers any major restoration or repair not described. Also we guarantee against fakes, reproductions or major fabrications. As outlined above, our guarantee is limited, however, it is almost unique in a business that operates “Caveat Emptor”. This is not a perfect system, however, and it is important to be aware of that. Our intention is to be as fair as possible in our catalog descriptions but it is virtually impossible to adequately describe an antique or collectible item that has been used and shows signs of wear. If you are a discerning, highly particular customer, expecting mint or near mint condition, it is advisable that you not ever submit absentee bids here or at any auction house without seeing the item in person, since your definition of condition might be far more particular than what any cataloger would have time or space to specify. The entire purpose of our catalog description is to give our readers a general description and idea of what the lot is and we will stand behind that description regarding a major discrepancy only. If the discrepancy is less than a major discrepancy, under no circumstances would any adjustment or refund be made. Should the need arise, the auctioneer reserves the right to make verbal corrections and provide additional information from the block at the time of the sale. Absentee bids will not be executed on items that are found to be other than described in the catalog unless we were able to contact you prior to the lot being sold and advise of this discrepancy. If we are unable to reach you or if time does not permit, we will not execute your bid. Please Note: the only thing we guarantee is what is in print in the catalog and what is announced from the block at the time of sale. Absolutely nothing discussed over the telephone or in person prior to the auction shall be construed as part of the guarantee. Since opinions can differ, particularly in the matter of condition, the auctioneer will be the sole judge in the matter of refunds. This guarantee is limited to the following time duration and limits. Please read:
A. TIME LIMIT: For live bidders it is expected that you have examined the items before you purchased them and that as you pick them up, you will re-examine them one last time. If there is a problem regarding condition, it is expected that you would notify us immediately before leaving the auction facility. If you are an absentee bidder then it is your responsibility to examine the lot immediately upon receipt. If a major discrepancy should be discovered, it is your responsibility to contact us immediately. Please note: All guarantees and options for refunds or adjustment become null and void 45 days after the auction. We pay consignors on the 45th day. Once we have paid our consignors we no longer have control for the payment and under no circumstances can we consider any refunds. If you suspect that there is a major discrepancy or problem with authenticity of your lot, it is your responsibility to contact our office before the 45 days are up and let us know that you need some extra time. We can usually make arrangements to extend the guarantee for a few days if you personally advise us. Please note: If you pay late and thus, receive your items late, it does not qualify for special privileges. The guarantee is null and void 45 days after the auction. It is your responsibility to pay for and acquire your purchases in a timely fashion. So if there is a major discrepancy, you have time to notify our office. Please remember that if you call us 46 days after the auction, there is nothing we can do about a major discrepancy except apologize to you. If you want to be considered for an adjustment or refund, it is your responsibility to notify us within 45 days after the auction.
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C. TYPE OF RESTITUTION: An item that qualifies for an adjustment is limited to one of the following options:
1) Major problems, (i.e. fakes, significant alteration, major unannounced restoration, etc.) will result in a refund in sale price, adjustment in sale price or repair by the auctioneer. The auctioneer shall be the judge as to the final resolve.
2) Less than major problems or discrepancies are not part of the guarantee and no refund or adjustment will be considered for less than major problems.
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