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LOT 3263
Documented Cased Pair of Engraved Smith of Braintree Boxlock Percussion Belt Pistols from the von Stauffenberg Collection -A) Smith Belt Pistol - Serial no. 42, 47 cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., brown/blue finish, walnut grips. The included documentation indicates the pair was from Schloss Jettingen and Berthold Graf Schenk von Stauffenberg when sold on September 29, 2006, and that they were formerly in the collection of Claus Graf Schenk von Stauffenberg.
It is not clear when they came into the family’s collection. The latter is the famous Oberst (Colonel) Claus von Stauffenberg who attempted to assassinate Hitler
via a bomb at the Wolf’s Lair on July 20, 1944, in Operation Valkyrie and was executed by firing squad the following day when the plot failed. He is portrayed by Tom Cruise in the 2008 film “Valkyrie” which centers on Stauffenberg’s role
as the lead conspirator in the plot to assassinate Hitler. His eldest brother
Berthold Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg was also arrested and executed by slow
strangulation. Thousands of others were either executed or sent to concentration
camps following the attempted assassination and coup, including Oberst von
Stauffenberg’s wife who survived and passed away in 2006 shortly before these
pistols were sold. His son Berthold Graf Schenk von Stauffenberg (b. 1934) was
also a German military officer and was the longest serving German soldier at the
time of his retirement in 1994 with the rank of major general after nearly four
decades in the Buneswehr. The pistols have smoothbore Damascus barrels signed
“SMITH BRAINTREE” on top and equipped with silver blade front sights. Both
pistols have Birmingham proofs on the lower left on the barrel and frame. On the
right, the first is marked “3,” and the second is marked “2.” The box lock actions
have scroll engraving, notch rear sights, “42” below the bolsters, and belt hooks
on the left. The grips are finely checkered and have blank wrist escutcheons and
scroll engraved caps with compartments. The case has a small powder flask, ball
mold marked “40,” bone container with spare nipples, an oiler, cap tin, measure, a
few over-sized balls, loading/cleaning rod, jag, and a nipple wrench.
CONDITION: Very good with much of the period refurbished brown finish and
distinct twist patterns along the barrel, traces of blue on the action, smooth gray and brown patinas on the balance, some minor oxidation and pitting, and generally minor age and storage related wear overall. The grip is also very good and has minor spots of wear on the otherwise crisp checkering and light handling wear. Mechanically fine. The case and accessories are good with age and storage related wear including fading on the lining and mild wear on the exterior. B) Smith Belt Pistol - Serial no. 42, 47 cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., brown/blue finish, walnut grips. See “A.”
CONDITION: Very good with much of the period refinished brown finish and distinct Damascus twist patterns along the barrel, traces of the blue finish on the action, some minor oxidation/pitting, and generally minor overall wear. The grip is good and has a repaired crack extending down from the upper tang screw and mild wear on the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Claus Graf Schenk von Stauffenberg Collection; The Berthold Graf Schenk von Stauffenberg Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 3264
Cased Pair of Engraved, Gold Banded, and Silver Accented H.W. Mortimer Percussion
Dueling Pistols -A) Mortimer Dueling Pistol - NSN, 25 Bore cal., 8 1/8 inch octagon bbl.,
brown/casehardened/blue/silver finish, walnut stock. These pistols from H.W. Mortimer in
London date to c. 1830 and feature smoothbore Damascus barrels with dovetailed silver blade
front sights, “Mortimer London” signed on top, Birmingham proofs, and dual gold inlaid bands
on the casehardened breech plugs. The engraved standing breeches incorporate the fixed
notch rear sights. The pistols are equipped with adjustable single set triggers. The locks are
signed “H-W/Mortimer” towards the center and have border and scroll engraving and sliding
half-cock safeties. The forend caps and stock escutcheons are silver. The remaining furniture is
iron and features classical martial and foliate engraving. The stocks have checkered wrists. The
pair comes in a relined wood case with a reproduction Collins trade label, rods, a three-way
flask, nipple wrench, balls, cap tin, and keys.
CONDITION: Good, with half of the period refinished brown remaining on the barrel, traces of
the barrel marking, strong case colors on the breech and lock, attractively aged patina on the
silver, 50% blue remaining on the trigger guard, mostly smooth gray and brown patina on the
balance, some light oxidation/pitting, and mild overall wear. The stock is very good and has
distinct checkering, mild scrapes and dings, and a few faint cracks and chips. The set trigger
needs work, but the lock is mechanically fine. The restored, relined case is good with mild
storage wear. The accessories are good. B) Mortimer Dueling Pistol - NSN, 25 Bore cal., 8 1/8
inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue/silver finish, walnut stock.
CONDITION: Good with 50% period refinished brown remaining on the barrel, faded but
mostly legible barrel marking, strong case colors on the breech and lock, attractively aged
patina on the silver, 40% blue remaining on the trigger guard, mostly smooth gray and brown
patina on the balance, some light oxidation/pitting, and mild overall wear. The stock is very
good and has distinct checkering, mild scrapes and dings, and a minor cracks and small
slivers absent. Mechanically fine.
202 Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750