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Fine Cased Pair of Engraved. Gold Banded, and Silver Accented Hewson Flintlock Dueling Pistols -A) Hewson Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 57 cal., 9 1/4 inch octagon bbl., brown/ casehardened/blue/silver/gold finish, walnut stock. Gunmaker Thomas Hewson of London was active c. 1805-1820 and was operating at No. 36 Piccadilly in 1808-1820 per Blackmore in “Gunmakers of London 1350-1850.” Per research on English settlers in South Africa, he emigrated from 36 Piccadilly to South Africa in 1820 and worked as a gunmaker and sheep farmer. The pistols feature smoothbore Damascus barrels equipped with dovetailed brass blade front sights and signed “--HEWSON-LONDON--” in gold inlay on top and London proofed on the underside. The casehardened breech plugs have engraved borders, gold bands. and platinum vent liners. The casehardened standing breeches heave notch rear sights and border, classical martial, and foliate engraving. The flat casehardened locks feature rainproof pans, frizzen spring rollers, sliding half-cock safeties, “-HEWSON-” signed at the centers, and border, foliate, and burst engraving. The pistols feature single set triggers with no visible adjustment screws and stylized pineapple trigger plate finials. The ramrod entry pipes, spurred trigger guards, and pommel caps are blued and display foliate, classical martial, and burst pattern engraving. The forend caps and wedge and wrist escutcheons are silver. The latter are engraved with a crest featuring a spread wing eagle over a torse. The same is also engraved on the case lid escutcheon. The interior of the case lid has a Hewson trade label with the 36 Piccadilly address. The case has green baize lining and contains a rod with covered worm, key, Sykes three-way combination flask, 28 bore mold, screwdriver, and a few balls. CONDITION: Fine with light refinished brown and distinct Damascus twist patterns along the barrel, bright gold and platinum, aged patina on the silver, light original case colors, 70% original blue finish remaining on the furniture, and generally minor age and storage related wear. The stock is very fine and has a small repair by the escutcheon on the right, attractive figure, crisp checkering, and mild scratches mainly by the lock screw. Mechanically fine. The case and accessories are also fine with mild age and storage related wear, including some cracks in the case - NSN, 57 cal., 9 1/4 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue/silver/gold finish, walnut stock. CONDITION: Fine with light refinished brown and distinct Damascus twist patterns along the barrel, bright gold and platinum, dark aged patina on the silver, light original case colors, 70% original blue finish remaining on the furniture, and generally minor age and storage related wear. The stock is very fine with attractive figure, crisp checkering, and minor scratches. Mechanically fine. Provenance: Property of a Distinguished Southern Clergyman. Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 270
Engraved Pair of Broomhead Flintlock Rifled Officer’s Pistols with Snap Bayonets -A) Broomhead Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 65 cal., 9 3/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/bright/blue finish, walnut stock. These early 19th century flintlock officer’s pistols feature rifled barrels in .65 caliber British carbine bore and are mounted with folding snap bayonets. They would have been excellent for defense. Although they lack sights, you can line up shots using the screws on the bayonets and the bayonet catches on the upper tangs. The locks have burst and floral pattern engraving, frizzen spring rollers, stepped tails, sliding half-cock safeties, and “BROOMHEAD” signed under the guttered pans. Blackmore lists Thomas Broomhead as “Gunmaker & Factor, Birmingham, 1804-20. Marked guns ‘London.’” The furniture has floral engraving. The stocks have checkered butts.
CONDITION: Very good with mostly silver-gray on the lock and bayonet, most of the refinished brown remaining on the barrel, traces of blue finish on the furniture which is mostly cleaned silver gray, and minor overall wear including some pitting at the vent. Aside from a split in the ramrod channel, the stock is very good and has crisp checkering and some mild dings and scratches. Mechanically fine. B) Broomhead Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 65 cal., 9 3/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/bright/blue finish, walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Very good with mostly silver-gray on the lock and bayonet, most of the refinished brown on the barrel, blue finish on the protected areas of the furniture which otherwise is mostly cleaned to silver gray,
and minor overall wear. The stock is very good and has crisp checkering and some light dings and scratches. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,000
LOT 269
and dents on the flask. B) Hewson Flintlock Pistol
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