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LOT 278 Rare Engraved and Gold Inlaid Prosser Double Barrel Flintlock Carriage Pistol - NSN, 28 bore cal., 8 7/8 inch solid rib bbl., brown/gold/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. Cutler and gunmaker John
Prosser operated at 9 Charing Cross, London, from 1796 to 1853 and then worked at 37 Charing Cross from 1854 to 1860. This pistol dates to the earlier part of
his career c. 1800. Each lock is signed “PROSSER” and has
a sliding safety, frizzen spring roller, and semi-waterproof pan. The browned
Damascus barrels are smoothbore, and each have a gold inlaid band at the breech and a gold vent liner. The concave barrel rib has a blade front sight and
is signed “-CHARING-CROSS-LONDON.” Small London proof and view marks are stamped on the underside of each the barrel. The iron mounts has floral and sunburst engraving with a trophy of arms on the bow of the spurred trigger guard. The silver oval wrist escutcheon is engraved “WDF” in
LOT 279
Cased Engraved Pair of William Chance Flintlock Dueling Pistols -
A) William Chance Dueling Pistol - Serial no. 719, 28 bore cal., 10
inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue/silver finish, walnut stock. Manufactured c. 1829-1842 by William Chance Jr. likely as dueling pistols
but also perfectly suitable for other uses including for traveling pistols. The smoothbore Damascus barrels have dovetailed blade and notch sights, “London” inscribed on top, scroll engraved breeches with platinum vent liners, “719” and “720” respectively on the undersides as well as Birmingham proofs flanking “RH” and “8/8”, and “JH” marked on the breech hooks. The locks feature rainproof priming pans, frizzen spring rollers, scroll engraving, “Wm Chance” signed towards the center, and sliding half-cock safeties. The spurred trigger guards enclose adjustable single set triggers. The forend caps and stock escutcheons are silver. The wrists are finely checkered. The pair comes in a relined mahogany case with a loading and cleaning rod, balls, three-way flask, ball mold, turnscrew, brush, key, and a worn British coin that appears to be dated 1806.
CONDITION: Good, with artificially enhanced dark brown patina, attractively aged patina on the silver, general mild wear, and replacement top jaw and screws. The re-oiled stock has crisp checkering and minor scratches and dings. Mechanically fine. The relined case and the accessories are good with mild wear. B) William Chance Dueling Pistol - Serial no. 720, 28 bore cal., 10 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue/silver finish, walnut stock. CONDITION: Good, with artificially enhanced dark brown patina, aged patina on the silver, general mild overall wear, and replacement top jaw, jaw screw, and spur. The re-oiled stock has crisp checkering and mild scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
fancy script. The figured walnut half-stock has a flattened, checkered butt which is characteristic of pistols by Prosser. CONDITION: Very good with period refinished brown and distinct Damascus twist patterns along the barrel with bright gold bands and vent liners, aged patina on the silver escutcheons, gray and brown patina on the locks and mounts, mild pitting, detached barrel loop, working replacement safety catches (one with damaged tail), and age related marks and scratches throughout. The re-oiled wood is also very good with crisp checkering, small dings and scratches, and minor loss to the edge by the trigger guard tang on the left. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,500
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