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LOT 403
Rare and Unique Documented
A. Francotte
Beaumont-Adams Double Action Centerfire
Conversion Revolver with Inscribed Case and Accessories From the Famous Henk L. Visser Collection - Serial no. 3171, 44
CF cal., 6 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, gutta percha grips. This is
a rare example of a Beaumont-Adams revolver, originally manufactured by August Francotte of Liege, Belgium, as a percussion revolver and
subsequently converted by P. Stevens of Maastricht, Netherlands, to accept a centerfire cartridge. Reportedly, P. Stevens supplied an example of one of these centerfire conversion revolvers to the Dutch Navy in 1869
in an attempt to interest them, but this system was not adopted. The one-piece barrel and frame group have a dovetailed blade front and notch rear sight. Engraved with scrolling foliage on each side of the breech, border
engraved top strap with maker marking, cylinder with engraved forward edge and stamped with maker and conversion marks, P. Stevens markings on the striker
housing and loading gate, and engraving on the butt cap. Includes a lined mahogany case with a brass escutcheon on the lid inscribed “den 1st Luit.t C.D.H. Sethe. de Offic.r van den Rycursus.1862” which translates to “[For] 1st Lieutenant C.D.H. Sethe [from] the officers of the riding
course.1862”, manufacturer’s trade label on the inside of the lid, and containing a cleaning rod, oiler and lead balls. This rare revolver is pictured on pages 516-517 of the book “The Visser Collection” Volume I part 4 catalog no. 908 by G. de Vries and B.J. Martens, page 223 of the book “Nederlandse Vuurwapens, Landmacht, Marine en Koloniale Troepen 1866-1895” by the same authors, and pages
41-45 of “Die Militarrevolver der Niederlande 1856-1940” by H.E. Harder and W.A. Dreschler. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 70% plus original blue finish with smooth gray and brown patina on the balance. Grip is also very fine with some light handling marks and defined edges and designs. Mechanically excellent. Included case is
fine with some light handling marks.
Provenance: The Henk L. Visser Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE VISSER COLLECTION, VOL. I PART 4 BY GUUS DE VRIES & BAS MARTENS
LOT 404
Scarce Retailer Cased “The Expert” Double Action Revolver with Rare Silver & Fletcher Patent Extractor and Safety - Serial no. 33422, 450 cal., 4 1/2 inch irregular bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This Webley style revolver is based on the famed Royal Irish Constabulary revolver pattern first introduced in 1867 and very few were manufactured from 1885 to 1900. This example is marked “SILVER & FLETCHER’S PATENT ‘THE EXPERT’” on top of the barrel and “S.W. SILVER & Co/CORNHILL LONDON” on the top of the frame. The later are retailer/outfitter marks, and the gun was likely produced by Webley or a licensed firm. The left side of the barrel is marked “450,” and the serial number is marked on the left side of the frame. The
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
310
frame and cylinder feature bordered machined finish. It is equipped with a an extractor that pulls out of the cylinder pin and pivots to the right to push out empty cases and a hammer safety marked “PATENT” on the left that prevents the firing pin from striking the primer by a rotating knob. The extracting system can also work with the casehardened loading gate fully open. Opening the loading gate allows a pivoting hook to engage the rim of a spent cartridge and the hammer falling on the hook ejects the cartridge. The front of the frame is marked “157.” The underside of the barrel is marked “5.” Each cylinder flute is stamped with a British proof. Additional British proofs are found on the lower right side of the frame and on the left side of the barrel. The front cylinder face is numbered to the gun with the partial serial number “3422.” It is fitted with a checkered one-piece grip and lanyard loop. The rare hammer safety mechanism is seen on similar Webley R.I.C. No. 1 New Models and a Webley No. 5 on page 69 and 96 of “Webley Revolvers” by Bruce and Reinhart. The revolver comes in a brass mounted mahogany case with a S.W. Silver oval label on the inside of the lid, an empty cartridge block and a glass oiler. CONDITION: Very fine. The revolver retains 80% plus original high polished blue finish with the balance a mix of brown speckling and smooth gray patina. The grips are excellent with overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good showing some high spot wear and soiling on the lining and some minor handling/storage marks. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500