Page 129 - 4093-BOOK1

LOT 101
Desirable E. Remington
& Sons Thomas Patent
Percussion Cane Gun
with Rare “Ball and Claw”
Handle - Serial no. 36, 31 ,
25 3/8 inch round bbl., black
finish. Designed by Remington
master mechanic John F. Thomas, these
percussion cane guns were patented in 1858
and produced as an effort to break into the
burgeoning market of gentlemen’s defensive
accessories. It is estimated that between 1858
and 1866 only 500 of the percussion cane
guns were manufactured, with production
being significantly interrupted by the Civil War.
This example remains in its original percussion
configuration making it even more scarce.
Along with that, this particular example has the
desirable “ball and claw” handle, fashioned out
of the same brown gutta percha as the shaft.
It is the writer’s experience that far fewer of
these “ball and claw” canes survived compared
to the “dog’s head” or curved/”L” shaped canes,
and renowned Remington collector Elliot
Burka lists them as the second most rare of the
standard variations, behind only the “bulbous”
handle, in an article for the American Society
of Arms Collectors. Examples of these various
standard handle styles, including the “ball and
claw”, can be seen on p. 188 of “Canes From
the Seventeenth to the Twentieth Century”
by Jeffrey B. Snyder. A similar example, serial
number 17, incorrectly listed as .44 caliber,
can be seen as item no. 322 in “The Karl F.
Moldenhauer Collection of Remington Arms”
as offered by the Richard A. Bourne Co. There is
a small silvered band where the handle meets
the shaft and a serrated iron ferrule at the tip/
muzzle which is marked with the J.F. Thomas
patent markings, Remington & Sons address, and “36”. It measures
32 5/8 inches overall.
CONDITION: Fine, the black gutta percha shows restoration
overall to the grip as well as the shaft, some areas of fading to an
attractive chocolate brown, some scattered light handling marks,
and some slight deformation (caused by repair) where the shaft
joins the handle. The tip shows grey patina, mild pitting, and a
repair where it meets the shaft. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 102
Attractive Documented Antique Relief
Carved Elephant Cane with Silver Band as
Pictured in “Canes from the Seventeenth
to the Twentieth Century” by Snyder - The
popularity of the cane as a status symbol for
the middle classes through the upper echelons
of society reached its pinnacle in the 18th and
19th centuries at roughly the same time as many
European powers reached their peaks of global
power. This cane would have certainly befit a
worldly British gentleman after a post in certain
parts of the British Empire such as Africa or India given
its subject matter. The antique ivory grip has been
expertly relief carved in the form of an
elephant precariously perched atop the
cane. The grip is joined to the shaft with a
wide silver band engraved with floral motifs
and a “WP” monogram, and it appears to be
marked with 1898 Birmingham hallmarks
and a James Millward Banks maker’s mark.
It has a smooth ebonized shaft and is tipped with brass. It measures 36 1/2 inches
overall. This specific cane is pictured and briefly described on p. 85 of “Canes from the
Seventeenth to the Twentieth Century” by Snyder.
CONDITION: Very fine, the grip shows an attractively aged tone with a few hairline
age cracks on top, an attractively aged patina on the silver and brass, and a few
scattered light handling marks on the shaft and the brass tip being separated at
the seam.
Provenance: The Richard W. Carlson Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 103
Beautiful Antique Relief Carved
Wood Pecker Cane - In the 18th
century to early 20th century, canes
began a very popular symbol of
social and economic status as well as
sophistication. This example would
have been very fitting for an affluent
gentleman or lady of the period,
having an antique ivory grip that has
been beautifully relief carved in the
form of a wood pecker perched on
a tree stump. Both the bird and the
stump have been accented with dark
enamel, traces of which remain in
sheltered areas, and the bird is fitted
with glass eyes. The grip is fitted to a
smooth ebonized shaft tipped with
brass. It measures 37 1/4
inches overall.
CONDITION: Very fine, the grip shows
an attractively aged tone with traces
of the dark enamel remaining in
sheltered areas. The shaft is excellent
with only the slightest handling
marks and some minor deformation
of the brass tip.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED
IN THE BOOK CANES FROM
THE SEVENTEENTH TO THE
TWENTIETH CENTURY BY SNYDER
127