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LOT 1257
Pair of European Turn-Off Flintlock
Pocket Pistols with Silver Wire Inlays
-A) Flintlock Pocket Pistol - NSN, 40 cal., 2 inch round bbl.,
bright finish, walnut grips. These likely 18th century French
pocket pistols feature cannon shaped turn-
off barrels with small studs on the undersides
for removal using a barrel wrench, “B” and “9”
respectively to the
left on their fluted
breech sections
with fluting that
continues onto the
tangs, rounded locks with pivoting
stalls that engage the back of the cocks, iron
mounts, and walnut grips with elaborate silver wire inlays that
include floral and crescent moon patterns.
CONDITION: Fine overall with gray and brown patina, minor overall
wear, some slivers of wire coming loose or absent. Mechanically fine.
B) Flintlock Pocket Pistol - NSN, 40 cal., 2 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut grips. See “A.”
CONDITION: Fine with silver-gray and brown patina, light oxidation, sections of silver wire loose or
absent, a crack at the nose of the lock, small repair by the toe, and mild wear. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Dr. Lew Katzowitz Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1256
Engraved Gill Four-Shot Tap-Action Flintlock Pistol - NSN,
38 cal., 2 5/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut grips. This c.
1780 pistol signed “GILL” on the left, likely for Thomas Gill
of London, uses a lightly engraved boxlock action
with a lever on the left that rotates the pan to switch
between four powder charges to fire the four barrels
in succession. The barrels are numbered “5” through
“8” starting on the lower right indicating this is the
second pistol from a pair. The underside has Ordnance
private proofs. The pistol has a sliding safety latch and
is mounted with a smooth walnut grip with a blank
shield-shape silver escutcheon on the rear.
CONDITION: Fine overall with silver-gray and brown
patina, minor overall wear, some light scratches, and
minor pitting. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 2,000 - 4,000
LOT 1259
Pair of Thomas Banister Flintlock Pocket
Pistols with Rootwood Stocks -A) T. Banister Flintlock
Pistol - NSN, 42 cal., 3 inch round bbl., bright finish, rootwood
stock. Thomas Banister is listed by Blackmore as apprenticed
to Robert Silke and Robert Brooke and became free of the
Gunmakers Co. in 1676, submitted his proof piece in 1678, and as
elected assistant in 1697. He was an ordnance contractor 1680-1707 and a Hudson’s Bay
Co. contractor in 1684-1701. In 1824, he was given a pension in 1724 as he was ill and
destitute. The pistols feature cannon shaped multi-stage barrels with bands of engraving,
“T/BANISTER” signed on top of the engraved breech sections, “T. BANISTER” signed along the lower edges of
the scroll engraved locks, iron serpent sideplates, a bust engraved on the trigger guards, foliate engraving
on the thin caps, and highly figured rootwood stocks.
CONDITION: Very good with gray and brown patina, mostly distinct engraving and markings, oxidation, and
mild wear. The stock has stunning figure, some cracks, and spots of filler. The lock has been repaired but
needs adjustments.
B) T. Banister Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 42 cal., 3 inch round bbl., bright finish, rootwood stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Very good with gray and brown patina, mild oxidation/pitting, mostly distinct markings and
engraving, and mild overall wear. The stock has very attractive figure, some splicing and filler, and small
chips. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1258
Engraved D. Egg Tap
Action Three-Shot Boxlock
Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 36
cal., 1 1/8 inch round bbl.,
bright finish, walnut grips.
This c. 1800 three-shot pistol
is signed “D•EGG/LONDON”
on the right side and has burst, classical, and border
engraving. The screw-off barrels are numbered four through
six from bottom to top on the left side indicating this was part of a
pair, and there are Ordnance private proofs on the bottom.
CONDITION: Fine with crisp engraving, gray and brown patina, minor oxidation, and general mild
wear, including some scratches and dings on the grip. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
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