LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Collection of Western History #680  / 

74062

MATCHED PAIR OF CASED PERCUSSION DUELING PISTOLS

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:2,700.00 USD Estimated At:5,500.00 - 8,000.00 USD
MATCHED PAIR OF CASED PERCUSSION DUELING PISTOLS
<B>MATCHED PAIR OF CASED PERCUSSION DUELING PISTOLS.</B></I> These pistols are of extra quality, beautifully engraved and stocked. It's interesting a pair of pistols of this quality do not bear any makers identification or proof marks. Physical characteristics of construction, however, indicate they are of Belgian or possibly French origin. All mountings are of iron. Pistols are fitted with sighted 8” Damascus, octagon, micro grooved barrels in .56 calibre. Breaches are of the patented design with brass washered nipples. Top tangs and accompanying screws are delicately engraved in a floral pattern terminating in a chrysanthemum. Lock plates tell a story. One lock plate is beautifully engraved behind the hammer with a seated hound in an outdoor setting. The other lock plate is engraved with a reclining fox, again in an outdoor setting. Vine and foliage engraving adorns the front portion of the locks. Hammers are fantastic with great sculptural form and engraving. Stylized chisel relief fanged lion heads adorn hammer top and faces. In addition to vine and foliage engraving on the hammers, one is engraved with a delicately formed crane. The other hammer has a duck afloat in a pond. Lock escutcheons are eloquently formed and engraved with winged gargoyle heads. Trigger guards protecting the set triggers are finger spurred. Both are engraved, keeping with the outdoor theme evident throughout the engraving layout, with shore birds and water fowl. Steel trigger plates are sculptured retaining the foliage engraving style. Centralized ovals in each trigger plate contain an outdoor scene of a dwelling on a hill and a goose, respectively. Ramrod caps are delicately engraved with flower filled urns. Iron butt caps are raised and surmounted with large flowers. Half stocks of burl wood are checkered at the grip. Termination of stocks at butt are flared and carved. Brass tipped ebony ramrods are a bit wormy on ebony portion. Small gold ovals are inlayed in stocks at top of wrists. Cased accessories include an unmarked flask, loading mallet, mold, screw driver, long ball seat and cleaning rod. Numerous cast balls are in the French style fitted case. These pistols, sometime during their existence, became separated from their original casing. The pistols and their accessories are currently housed in a casing that appears to be about 50 or so years old. They display very well in this green lined, French style casing.<BR><BR><B>Condition:</B></I> Locks, hammers and patent breaches retain about 80% of their original case hardening color. Trigger guards have naturally faded on the outside, but retain about 80% of their case hardening on the inside bows. Damascus barrels are light grey in patina. Strong amounts of blue are evident on the trigger plates and top tang. Balance of exposed metal has faded to a pleasing uncleaned patina. Burl wood stocks about perfect with only minor wear and handling abrasions. All cased accessories are in relative unused condition. Case lining is perfect. Outside of old wood casing has normal handling marks and abrasions.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Miscellaneous Collectibles, Smal (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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