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LOT 3291
Historic Presentation Cased Pair of Engraved, Silver Mounted, and Bavarian Military Presentation Inscribed J. Adam Kuchenreuter Percussion Pistols
-A) Kuchenreuter Percussion Pistol - NSN, 44 cal., 8
inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/silver finish, walnut stock. The Kuchenreuter family gunmakers were among the best in the Germanic states in the 18th and 19th centuries and traced their line back to gunmakers
in the region in the 17th century. Members of the family remain active bespoke gunmakers into the 21st century. Johann Adam Kuchenreuter (1794-1869) was one of the most talented and most recognized members of the family. During his lifetime, he was the court gunmaker for both the Princely House of Thurn & Taxis of Regensburg and the King of Bavaria. The latter is particularly relevant to the current pair which was presented to a Bavarian colonel
in 1834. The silver pommel cap of the first pistol has “Aus inniglter Verehrung” (Out of Deep Veneration/Honor) at
the top over a list of officers, and the second pistol has “Ihrem scheidenden Comandeur Herrn Oberst/Carl Freihr.
v. Jeetze.” (Our outgoing commander Colonel Carl Freihr von Jeetze) at the top over a list of officers. Both pistols have “des Konigl. bayr. IIIt Jager Bataillons 1834” at the bottom. The inscription indicates a presentation in 1834
by the Royal Bavarian III Jager Battalion in 1834 to Colonel Carl/Karl Freihr von Jeetze. In May 1834, he left to take command of the 12th Line Infantry Regiment (King Otto of Greece). Bavarian Prince Otto, son of King Ludwig I, became King of Greece after the Greek War of Independence
and the London Protocol of 1832. He took thousands of Bavarian troops with him and remained king until he was deposed in October of 1862.
This pair of pistols features dovetailed silver blade
front sights, key adjustable notch rear sights, “I. ADAM
KUCHENREUTER.” in gold inlay on top of the barrels, silver
inlaid bands at the muzzle and breech end, adjustable
single set triggers, “A REGENSBURG.” on the locks which
have pivoting hammer stalls, bestial themed engraving on
the hammers, extensive scroll and border engraving, silver
furniture, including spurred trigger guards, and full-length stocks with
horn forend caps, checkered wrists with scroll carved borders, and the
noted historical presentation inscription on the silver pommel caps.
The pair comes in a very attractive figured veneer case with green
leather lining decorated with gilt scrollwork, numbered positions for
each pistol, and a variety of accessories, including a capper, mold,
punch, measure, powder horn, and more.
CONDITION: Very fine with 75% of the brown and casehardened
finish remaining, bright gold inlays, aged patina on the silver
bands and some of the furniture, minor oxidation, broken trigger
adjustment screw, and generally only minor age and storage
related wear. The stock is also very fine and has crisp checkering
and some minor nicks and scratches. Mechanically fine. The exterior
of the otherwise fine case as refinished, lining fine with most of the gilt
remaining, and accessories are fine with mild age and storage related wear
including some chips in the wood. B) Kuchenreuter Percussion Pistol - NSN, 44 cal., 8 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/silver finish, walnut stock.
CONDITION: Very fine with 85% plus original brown and casehardened finish, bright gold barrel inlays, minor oxidation and age and storage related wear, and aged patina on the silver inlaid bands and some of the silver furniture. The stock is also very fine with crisp checkering and some light dings and scratches. The trigger does not set; otherwise, the pistol is mechanically fine.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
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