2539

UNIQUE ELABORATELY CASED PAIR OF PERCUSSION RIFLED BELT PISTOLS BY DEVISME OF PARIS CIRCA 1845.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
UNIQUE ELABORATELY CASED PAIR OF PERCUSSION RIFLED BELT PISTOLS BY DEVISME OF PARIS CIRCA 1845.
NSN. Locks, mounts and breeches are elaborately engraved with scrolling foliage. Signed on tail of lock "Devisme a Paris". Front action locks. Half stocks. Bbls oct with fine Damascus finish and "Devisme Brevete a Paris" etched into top flat. Made like pair of diminutive dueling pistols, these have set triggers and long engraved belt hooks, silver thumbpieces, highly polished, select walnut stocks, original rods and butt traps for caps. Case is of ebonized wood bound with German silver strapwork and German silver bound corners. Escutcheon in lid elaborately engraved with a coat of arms attributed to the Earls of Cromerly and Seaforth. Motto "Luceo non Uro" and "Quo Cunque Jaceris Sctabit". Interior of case retains original red velvet lining, all original accessories including mold, cap box, screwdriver, mallet and cleaning rods. Original key. Additionally, case sits on elaborately constructed carved ebony stand with little hairy pawed feet of German silver which may or may not be of the period. NOTES: A most unusual pair of pistols by Devisme who is more known for standard French target pistols. These pistols carry extensive early notes, one dated 15 October 1907 wherein new owner is cautioned "never to snap them at random". Highly desirable and most interesting pair of pistols. PROVENANCE: Frank Greenhall, FL. John Greenhall, son of Frank. Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Case is excellent. Lining is excellent. Stocks are crisp retaining most original varnish. Mounts are crisp retaining most original polish. Locks are crisp as well. Bbl of one gun has been badly cleaned and has lost much of its Damascus finish and is pitted. Hammer on same pistol has chip out of left side of nose. Bullet mold is pitted and polished. Bbl of other pistol is polished and moderately pitted toward breech. Evidently it was fired and not cleaned properly. 4-49849 MZ42