Page 252 - 4091-BOOK1

LOT 253
Very Rare Silver Mounted Pair of Flintlock Pistols
with Distinctive Halbach American Patriotic
Pattern Pommel Caps -A) Silver Mounted Flintlock
Pistol - NSN, 67 cal., 8 1/8 inch round bbl., bright/
silver finish, walnut stock. This very rare pair of flintlock
pistols are part of a small group of related pistols attributed to Halbach
& Son/Sons (marked on at least some of the pistols’ locks). This pair is one of only two pairs reported. The distinctive
pommel caps show an eagle and shield motif along with thirteen stars based on the Great Seal of the United States and are the main characteristic that connects the
Halbach pistols together. One of the pistols in this pair is missing one star. Given the Halbach family were Prussian and selling primarily imported goods, most of their
pistols naturally have a Continental European style. Unlike most of the surviving Halbach pistols, however, this is a pair and has very attractive silver furniture of a more
English fashion, and the caps each have an “A-H” mark, presumably for Arnold Halbach, and no other visible hallmarks. The trigger guards feature acorn finials. The side
plates have pierced floral patterns, and the wrist escutcheons have shell and floral patterns. The brass barrels have no visible markings and have sighting flats and some light
scroll engraving that continues on to the iron tangs. There is raised relief shell patterns by the barrel tangs. The locks are somewhat crudely marked “COBLE” towards the center.
For a more typical brass mounted example, see the pistol the National Museum of American History’s collection (Accession Number: 1987.0014). These Halbach pistols have been listed as dating anywhere from the 1780s to 1840s in the past. Though this particular pair has the look of a pair from the 18th century, they likely date closer to 1810-1820s. Arnold Halbach (1787-1869), son of German steel maker Johann Arnold Halbach, founded a branch of the family’s steel business in the U.S. in 1810. The steel business near Remscheid, Germany, had been formed by his grandfather Johann and great uncle Caspar in the
18th century and operated as Johan and Caspar Halbach & Son. Period records show Arnold Halbach was also active as a merchant in Philadelphia dealing in German metal goods, including firearms, and then partnered with his brother George in 1826. The “Halbach Brothers” advertised a variety of “German Goods,” including “horsemen’s pistols” and other firearms as well as components in the 1820s. Halbach steel is noted as used at Harper’s Ferry in the mid-1820s (see “Travels Through North America During the Years 1825 and 1826” by Bernhard, Duke of Saxe-Weimar Eisenach), and the U.S. plant closed in 1828. Arnold Halbach served as Prussian Consul and Consul for the Free City of Frankfort in Philadelphia in 1828-1838 and then returned to German shortly thereafter. There was also a Charles Halbach active in Baltimore, Maryland, c. 1830s-1870s as a cutler and hardware dealer that has sometimes been listed as the maker/importer of these pistols though often with an earlier date listed.
CONDITION: Good with aged patina on the barrel, mostly bright lock with some gray and brown patina and mild pitting, attractive aged patina on the silver furniture, a silver band repair on the trigger guard tang, distinct designs, and mild overall wear. The stock is fair and has several cracks, repairs, filler, and chips. Mechanically needs work (trigger/sear engagement).
B) Silver Mounted Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 67 cal., 8 inch round bbl., bright/silver finish, walnut stock. As described in “A”.
CONDITION: Good with attractive aged patina on the silver mounts and brass barrel, mostly bright lock with some mild oxidation and pitting, and mild overall wear including some small chips and dents in the silver. The stock is fair and has some small cracks and repaired chips, crisp carving, and mild overall wear. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The William Dykes Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
250 Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000