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PAIR OF A. W. SPIES BRASS BARRELED AND MOUNTED NAVAL OFFICERS PISTOLS.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,750.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 5,500.00 USD
PAIR OF A. W. SPIES BRASS BARRELED AND MOUNTED NAVAL OFFICERS PISTOLS.
NSN. Cal. .665 Bore diameter. 9" Octagonal, smooth bore bbls are marked "London" on tops and with Birmingham proofs on top left flats. Locks with non-waterproof pans and bridled roller frizzens have lockplates with rebated tails, mounted with high breasted serpentine cocks. Lockplates have some rudimentary feather line engraving, and are engraved "A. W. SPIES", most likely the retailer by that name listed at Fulton Street, New York, New York from 1832-1857. Dense European walnut stocks are brass mounted, with plain spurred butt caps, and trigger guards with foliate engraving on bows, and pineapple finials. Silver oval crest plates at tops of grips are engraved in script "LB". (Descended in the family of Lawrence Barrett, well known Shakespearean actor, who also worked with Edwin Booth in the 1880's.) Stocks are pinned to bbls and brass tipped ramrods are held by brass thimbles. PROVENANCE: Copious notes on Lawrence Barrett, A. W. Spies, and Edwin Booth, including history of these pistols as known from 1936. CONDITION: Fine. Brass is beginning to mellow after old cleaning. Locks are mostly a pewter to brown patina. Stocks are sound, and retain most of their orig finish with a myriad of minor marks and nicks. 4-47815 MGM230