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MATCHED PAIR FLINTLOCK KENTUCKY PISTOLS OF POSSIBLE HISTORICAL VALUE BELIEVED TO BE BY J.J. HENRY OF

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
MATCHED PAIR FLINTLOCK KENTUCKY PISTOLS OF POSSIBLE HISTORICAL VALUE BELIEVED TO BE BY J.J. HENRY OF
PLEASE NOTE (10/2/13): We received a call from a well known Kentucky collector who was familiar with these pistols. His feeling is the "moll" signature is original and genuine. NSN. 8-3/8" full oct .36 Cal rifled bbls stamped "I MOLL". Unmarked flintlocks and curly maple stocks. Silver sideplates are in Berks County style and all furniture including buttcaps, ramrod ferrules, trigger guards and nosecaps are silver. Trigger guards are stamped "I.M.". Upon disassembly it has been noted there is an "IH" on breech plug and it has suggested these initials may be for the Nazareth, PA gunsmith J.J. Henry. There is an attractive silver shield inlay to rear of bbl tangs on each pistol engraved with "D". Extensive research by previous owner indicates this pair of pistols was purchased from the orig family who understood the pistols had belonged to a man named Dickerson. Further researched suggested Dickerson may have been Mahlon Dickerson who was Secretary Of The Navy and an industrial pioneer and patriot. Copies of Mahlon Dickerson's estate inventory do show he had two pistols when he died. PROVENANCE: Frank Sujansky Collection. CONDITION: Both pistols are in sound condition throughout with no evidence of any wood repairs or restoration. Incised carved decorative lines running along forend on each side to rear ramrod pipe have been added on a later date to both pistols. Regarding the "I MOLL" stamping on the bbls; we have never seen this work previously and do not guarantee it.  Further research may prove the validity of the Mahlon Dickerson connection. 4-49451 RG49