Page 247 - 4090-BOOK3

LOT 3425
Unusual Edme Regnier Flintlock “Defensive Lighter” with Bayonet and Lamp - walnut stock. The lockplate is inscribed
“Briquet Defencif/Du Gen Regnier” which translates from French as “Defensive Lighter of General Regnier.” This is one a select number of different designs from Edme Regnier L’Aine (1751-1825) of France. He also designed trap/alarm guns, eprouvette, a combination lock, and a dynamometer. A trap
pistol possibly by him is in Lot 3428. He served as an inspector under the Committee of Safety and as director of the Musee d’Artillerie. It is more common to find one of his lanterns attached to a
pistol, but this one has a 6 1/2 inch blade extending out the front of the stock instead. The “breech” area is where the lantern attaches. The lock is fired using a conventional trigger mechanism. CONDITION: Very good with dark patina, some light oxidation, distinct markings, and general mild wear mainly on the lantern. The stock is also fine and has distinct checkering, a chip and hairline
crack at the base of the blade, chips at the toe, and light scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3426
Unique Engraved Flintlock Table Knife Pistol - NSN, 31 cal., 2 inch bbl., bright finish, brass grips. These
unusual tableware flintlock knives, pistols, and forks were made in the 18th century. Several of the surviving examples, like this one, are marked “IN WINHORING” indicating they originated in the town of Winhoring in Bavaria. It has also has scroll engraving on the handle. The knife blade is 6 3/8 inches. The overall length is 10 5/8 inches.
CONDITION: Very fine with silver-gray patina and minor pitting on the iron and attractive aged patina on the brass. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3427
Rare Regnier Flintlock Trap/Alarm Pistol Formerly
in the Visser Collection - NSN, 49 cal., 2 1/4 inch round
bbl., bright finish, metal grips. This early 19th century design
came from French inventor Edme Regnier
L’Aine who designed additional interesting
flintlocks such as the “defensive lighter” in
Lot 3425. Additional examples with some
variation can be seen in Lot 3428 and Lot 3429,
and also see the similar “chicken thief gun” shown in Lewis Winant’s
“Firearms Curiosa” on pages 112 and 114 and figure 114. The pistol is all
metal and is basically a modified boxlock flintlock pocket pistol with a toothed clamp on the back of the grip, a trigger with roller actuated by a hooked release running along the bottom of the barrel for attachment to a trip wire, and a ring fitted to the right side of the barrel. “REGNIER” is stamped on the left side.
CONDITION: Fine with mostly silver gray patina, some faint oxidation, and generally minor overall wear. The top jaw and screw are replaced. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Henk L. Visser Collection.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3428
Unusual Flintlock Trap/Alarm Pistol - NSN, 46 cal., 2 3/4
inch round bbl., nickel finish, metal grips. A
similar design is known with markings for
the French inventor Edme Regnier L’Aine
who designed the “defensive lighter” in Lot
3425. See Lot 3427 and Lot 3429 for Rgenier marked examples and
the “chicken thief gun” shown in Lewis Winant’s “Firearms Curiosa” on
pages 112 and 114 and figure 114. The pistol is all metal and is basically a
modified boxlock flintlock pocket pistol with a clamp on the back of the grip, a release running
along the bottom of the barrel to the trigger which has a roller at the tip, and a ring fitted to the
right side of the barrel.
CONDITION: Very fine with a frosted nickel appearance overall, some patches of brown patina, and generally minor overall wear. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 3429
Rare Regnier Flintlock Trap/Alarm Pistol Formerly in the Visser Collection - NSN, 44 cal., 2 1/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, metal grips. This early 19th
century design came from French inventor
Edme Regnier L’Aine who designed additional
interesting flintlocks such as the “defensive
lighter” in Lot 3425. Additional examples with
some variation can be seen in Lot 3427 and
Lot 3428, and also see the similar “chicken
thief gun” shown in Lewis Winant’s “Firearms Curiosa” on pages 112 and 114 and figure 114. The pistol is all metal and is basically a modified boxlock flintlock pocket pistol with a toothed clamp on the back of the grip, a trigger with a roller actuate by a release running along the bottom of the barrel to the trigger which has a brass wheel at the tip, and a ring fitted to the right side of the barrel. “Regnier invet” is inscribed on the right side. CONDITION: Fine with mottled gray patina, mild scattered pitting, and mild wear. The ring mount was expertly replaced. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Henk L. Visser Collection.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3430
Engraved Eprouvette Flintlock Powder Tester - ,
carved wood stock. Powder testers or “eprouvettes”
were used to test the quality of gunpowder. This
example is based on a boxlock pocket pistol design
but instead of a normal barrel a cover fits against the
muzzle. When the powder is ignited, this plate is forced
forward and locks in place on the teeth of the wheel allowing the
user to figure out how much pressure was generated. This tester is particularly ornate and is engraved
with floral patterns and fitted with a nicely checkered and carved grip.
CONDITION: Fine with light casehardened finish, smooth mottled gray patina, distinct engraving, and minor age
and storage related wear. The grip is also fine and has distinct carving, minor handling wear, and a few scrapes. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500 245