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AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE THE VISSER COLLECTION VOL. 1 PART 4 BY G. DE VRIES AND B.J. MARTENS
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LOT 1354
Cased Pair of Documented G. Zeller & Co. Engraved and Relief Carved Percussion Target Pistols Formerly in the Visser Collection -A) G. Zeller & Co. Target Pistol - NSN, 9 mm cal., 9 3/4 inch fluted octagon bbl., blue/French gray finish, relief carved ebony stock. These mid-19th century target pistols have blued small bore rifled barrels with dovetailed blade front sights, fluted mid-sections, and are signed “G. ZELLER & Co./S GRAVENHAGE” (‘S-Gravenhage is The Hague) in gold inlay towards the breech ends and French grey patent breeches respectively numbered “1” and “2” in gold and decorated with fine etched and engraved foliate scrollwork. The underside of the barrels have proof and assembly marks. The standing breeches have screw adjustable notch rear sights and along with the locks and furniture are decorated en suite with the patent breeches. The ebony stocks have relief carved leaf and branch carving on the forend tips and fluted butts. In original large fitted case with a loading/cleaning rod, brush, mop, cap container, baller/starter, powder flask, and “9’3” marked conical bullet mold. They are described and illustrated in “The Visser Collection Vol. I, Part 4” by G. de Vries and B.J. Martens on pages 506-507 and also on pages 223 and 463 of “Hartmans’ Dutch Gunmakers.” CONDITION: Very fine with crisp engraving, 85% plus original blue finish, bright gold inlaid markings, mostly smooth gray patina on the balance, minor oxidation, and generally minor age and storage related wear. The stock is also very fine and has crisp carving and fluting, minor flakes at the edges and a few slight hairline cracks. Mechanically fine. The case is good and has mild age and storage related wear, some chips and slivers absent, and pieces coming loose on the lid. The accessories are very good and have minor wear. B) G. Zeller & Co. Target Pistol - NSN, 9 mm cal., 9 3/4 inch fluted octagon bbl., blue/French gray finish, ebony stock. See “A.” CONDITION: Fine with distinct engraving, bright gold inlaid markings, 60% original blue finish remaining, smooth brown patina on the balance of the barrel, mostly gray patina on the lock and furniture, some minor oxidation, and general mild age and storage related wear. The stock is very fine and has crisp carving and fluting, some minor flakes, and a few faint hairline cracks. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Henk L. Visser Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 7,000 - 9,000 LOT 1355 Pair of Engraved and Carved Barella of Berlin Percussion Dueling Pistols -A) Barella Dueling Pistol - Serial no. 8900, 48 cal., 8 inch ribbed bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, carved walnut stock. Heinrich Barella (1819-1893) opened his first shop in Magdeburg in 1844 and opened his second shop in Berlin around 1860 and was a gunmaker to the German court. He became a Royal High Power Rifle Master and Adviser Commissioner in 1865, and, after 1871, his title was Imperial Royal High Rifle Master. The ribbed, round barrels have 42 bore/.48 caliber smooth bores, flat upper sighting flats with dovetailed blade front sights, no provisions for rear sights, signed “H. BARELLA KAISERL: HOFBUCHSENMEISTER BERLIN” , “GUSS” and “STAHL” on the upper left and right respectively between the narrow side ribs, and breech plugs with nicely sculpted scroll pattern bolsters. The barrels have the serial number and proof and inspection markings on the undersides. The serial numbers are also marked in the forends. The pistols feature fine scroll, border, and shell pattern engraving. The well-figured walnut stocks feature coordinating incised and relief scroll carving and have fluted butts. CONDITION: Fine with 30% original blue finish mostly fading to smooth brown patina along the barrel, patches of bright original blue in some of the protected areas, mostly a smoky gray patina on the lock and furniture, crisp engraving, and minor overall wear. The stock is also fine and has crisp carving and fluting and general scattered minor dings and scratches. Mechanically fine. B) Barella Dueling Pistol - Serial no. 8900, 48 cal., 8 inch ribbed bbl., blue/casehardened finish, carved walnut stock. See “A.” CONDITION: Fine with 50% plus original blue finish with some fading to smooth brown patina along the barrel, mostly a smoky gray patina on the lock and furniture, crisp engraving, and minor overall wear. The stock is also fine and has crisp carving and fluting and numerous mild dings and scratches. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,750