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LOT 1328
Extraordinary Cased Pair of Finely Engraved and Gold Inlaid and Mounted Rifled Percussion Pistols with Extra Set of Smoothbore Barrels by Franz Ulrich of Stuttgart
-A) F. Ulrich Percussion Pistol - NSN, 45 cal., 7 7/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/gold/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Swiss-born gunmaker Franz Ulrich (1771-1845) produced a variety of firearms in Stuttgart, Germany, including pairs of distinctive pistols with inside hammers and a few variations of hammer-stall safeties c. 1840. This incredible pair also features both multi-groove rifled and smoothbore swamped browned Damascus barrels. The rifled barrels feature dovetailed
silver blade front sights, “F. ULRICH IN STUTTGART” in gold inlay, and
casehardened breech plugs with foliate engraving, gold inlaid bands,
and sunken and gold lined maker’s marks. The smoothbore barrels
feature dovetailed gold bead front sights, “F. Ulrich in Stuttgart” in
silver inlay, and plainer breech plugs. The standing breeches have
foliate engraving, screw adjustable notch rear sights, and “No 1” and
“No 2” respectively highlighted in gold. The distinctive casehardened locks are signed “F. ULRICH” in gold inlay and have bestial motifs with gold eyes and teeth on the inside mounted hammers along with sunken and gold lined “PATENT” on the sides, elaborate foliate engraving, an engraved scene of a dog towards the tails, and gold inlaid borders. The casehardened furniture features coordinating gold inlays and engraving. The trigger guards include folding spurs, and enclose adjustable single set triggers. The half-length stocks have gold wedge escutcheons, panels of checkering on the wrists, contrasting pommels with gilt floral caps, and gold escutcheons on the left flats inscribed with a herzogskrone/ducal coronet over the initials “NB”. The case has beautiful birdseye maple panels with contrasting edges and a closely fitted interior containing the pistols, extra barrels, a lacquer and gilt finished tin marked “Ohl & Pflaster.” (oil and patches) with a removable oil tin on the left inside and a compartment for patches on the right, casehardened ball mold, small horn flask, cleaning and loading rods, measures, and screwdriver.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrels display a mix of period refurbished browned finish and dark gray
and brown patina. The silver has aged patina, and the gold inlays remain bright. The lock and furniture display areas of bright case colors and some fading and light patination. The re-oiled stock has crisp checkering, minor dings and scratches, and a small crack on the left at the breech. The case and accessories are mostly very fine with mild age and storage related wear. The flask’s spout is stuck, and the cap is loose.
B) F. Ulrich Percussion Pistol - NSN, 45 cal., 7 7/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/gold/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrels display a mix of period refurbished brown finish and brown patina. The silver has aged patina. The gold remains bright. The majority of the case colors remain vibrant. The engraving and markings remain distinct. The re-oiled stock is also fine and has crisp checkering, light scratches and dings, and mostly light age and handling related wear. Mechanically fine. Overall, this is a very attractive and distinctive pair of German percussion pistols.
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
LOT 1329
Exceptional Cased Pair of Engraved and Gold Banded G. Nagel Percussion Dueling/Target Pistols
-A) G. Nagel Percussion Pistol - NSN, 9 mm cal., 9 1/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/gold/French gray finish, walnut stock. These stunning mid-19th century pistols featured blued octagonal barrels with deeply funneled muzzles, approximately 9 mm main bores with rifling, dual gold bands at the muzzles and breech ends, dovetailed blade front sights, “G. NAGEL IN BADEN” in gold inlay on the top flats, and French gray breech plugs with sculpted bolsters and fine floral and scroll engraving. The engraving continues onto the French gray standing breeches which are numbered “1” and “2” respectively and include screw adjustable notch rear sights. The nicely shaped locks are also signed “G. NAGEL IN BADEN” below the hammers and have scroll and border engraving. The spurred trigger guards and other furniture are also French gray with scroll engraving. The nicely figured walnut stocks have relief carved floral pattern ebony tips and multi-point checkered wrists. The pair comes in a fitted hardwood case with “H.G.” inscribed lid escutcheon, a brass plaque inscribed “CHARLES NAGEL/ARQUEBUSIER” inside the lid, a small powder flask, small turned container, nipple wrench with a pair of screwdriver tips, pick, conical bullet mold, punch, loading and cleaning rods with dark horn knobs, a key, and a tin containing some balls and bullets. Georg Nagel (c. 1813-1873) is listed in “Der Neue Stockel” as a gunmaker active in Baden- Baden starting around 1841 or 1842 and as the father of gunmaker Carl Georg Nagel (c. 1870-1923). CONDITION: Fine with crisp engraving and checkering, 85% plus period blue finish, bright gold bands, smooth French gray mixed with patina on the lock and furniture, some faint pitting, and general minor age and storage related wear. Mechanically fine. The case and accessories are very good with mild storage wear mainly on the case exterior including a crack in the lid. B) G. Nagel Percussion Pistol - NSN, 9 mm cal., 9 1/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/gold/French gray finish, walnut stock.
CONDITION: Fine overall with crisp engraving and checkering, 85% plus period blue finish with some light fading and scratches, bright gold bands, smooth French
gray mixed with gray patina on the lock and furniture,
slight oxidation, and generally only minor age and storage
related wear. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
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