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LOT 3253
Very Rare Engraved Wilkinson & Son Breechloading Percussion “Duckbill” Blunderbuss Pistol with Detachable Shoulder Stock - Serial no. 4363, 73 cal., 6 1/8 inch part round bbl., brown/ casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. This innovative pistol was manufactured c. 1832 based on Ulick John de Burgh, 1st Marquis of Clanricarde’s scarcely seen breechloading system patented the prior year on July 15. The patent also covered paper cartridges loaded with twelve quarter round projectiles. He was an Irish peer and Captain of the Yomen of the Guard at the time and later Ambassador to Russia, Postmaster General, and Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal. Examples are shown in “Firearms Curiosa” by Lewis Winant on pa. 256 and “Early Firearms of Great Britain and Ireland from the Collection of Clay P. Bedford on page. 127. The lever on the right swings up the plate behind the breechblock. The breechblock can then slide backwards and tilts upwards for loading similar to the Hall system in the U.S. The Damascus barrel is in “duckbill” format with the bore measuring .74 inches high and 1.8 inches wide at the muzzle. The barrel features a bead front sight at the muzzle and “PATENT” in a scroll banner towards the breech end. The breechblock has “WILKINSON & SON/PATENT/LONDON” in scroll banners. The lock is also signed “WILKINSON & SON.” A notch rear sight is on the upper tang. The lower tang has the serial number. There is scroll and border engraving throughout. The wedge and wrist escutcheons are silver. The checkered wrist has a keyed slot for mounting the included figured walnut shoulder stock (modern made replacement in the same form as the originals). CONDITION: Fine with 60% original blue finish on the trigger guard, 30% lighter faded original finish elsewhere, mostly dark brown patina throughout, aged patina on the silver, distinct markings aside from the “LONDON” banner on the breechblock which has flash pitting, and generally minor overall wear. The stocks are both also fine, with more scratches and dings on the pistol stock along with distinct checkering and some red coloration. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 3254
Pair of Rare Danish Military Loebnitz Patent Model 1841 Breech Loading Underhammer Percussion Pistols -A) Loebnitz Pistol - Serial no. B264, 66 cal., 8
5/8 inch octagon bbl., bright finish, hardwood grips. The advanced breech loading system used in these rare pistols was patented by Nicolaj Johan Loebnitz of Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1833, with the underhammer system patented in
1841, and operates using a lever mounted on the right of the receiver for unlocking of the barrel from the fixed gas sealing breech block, which
allows the barrel to tip upwards for loading access. The underhammer cocks using the pointer finger, and the cleverly designed mainspring and trigger are one
with a sear notch. Not to be confused with the visually similar Norwegian military Kammerlader rifles attributed as the invention of Frederick W. Scheel and made
around the same time, the Loebnitz breech system operates differently. Both pistols have fixed blade front sights and “v” notch rear sights, octagon barrels with 6-groove rifling (caliber is estimated at around .66)
and smooth hardwood grips. This “A” gun in the lot is marked “M-1841/B-1842-264” on the left of the action, with royal cyphers of Danish King Christian VIII (reigned 1839-1848), the matching serial number marked
on various components, and “219” stamped in the left of the grip. This pair of pistols is only eight serial numbers apart. Pistols such as these are known to have been carried during the First Schleswig War, also known as
the Schleswig-Holstein Uprising or Three Years War (March 24th, 1848-May 8th, 1851) taking place around southern Denmark and northern Germany, in which the Danish side emerged victorious, and also in the
Second Schleswig War (February 1st, 1864-October 30th, 1864).
CONDITION: Very good with bright iron surfaces as lightly polished, some scattered minor pitting, and mostly clear markings. The grip is also very good, with scattered light scratches and handling marks, a few small minor chips and cracks, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. B) Loebnitz Pistol - Serial no. B256, 66 cal., 8 5/8 inch octagon bbl., bright finish, hardwood grips. Reference the “A” description. This “B” gun in the lot is marked “M-1841/B-1842-256” on the left of the action, with royal cyphers of Danish King Christian VIII (reigned 1839-1848), the matching serial number marked on various components, and “181” stamped in the left of the grip. CONDITION: Fine with bright iron surfaces, scattered patches of freckling and defined markings. The grip is also fine, with scattered light scratches and handling marks, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. This rare pair of Danish military Loebnitz patent breech loading underhammer percussion pistols would make a fine addition to any advanced early military firearms collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
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