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LOT 1269
Exceptional Cased Pair of Valentin Christoph
Schilling Percussion Dueling Pistols
-A) V.C. Schilling Percussion Pistol - Serial no. 2,
44 cal., 7 3/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, checkered walnut stock. Valentin Christoph
Schilling (b. 1791) was a major firearms dealer and
manufacturer in Suhl in the 19th century, including as
an arms contractor for Prussia. This pair of pistols has
the German “BUG” proofs introduced in 1891 as well
as the serial number “20566” on the bottom of the
barrels and breech plugs. They feature smoothbore
barrels with dovetailed blade front and folding notch
rear sights and “V. CHR. SCHILLING, SUHL” marked on
top, “1” and “2” on the casehardened breech plugs and
standing breeches, some simple border engraving
on the back action locks and spurred trigger guards,
and half-length stocks with Schnabel forends and
checkered grips. The pair comes in a fitted oak case
with bright green lining and an array of loading and
maintenance equipment, including a “20565” marked
ball mold (one digit off from the pistols, likely an error).
CONDITION: Excellent overall with 95% plus original
finish and minimal light handling and storage wear.
Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine and has
mild age and storage related wear.
B) V.C. Schilling Percussion Pistol - Serial no. 1, 44
cal., 7 3/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
checkered walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Excellent overall with 95% plus original finish and minimal light handling and storage wear. Mechanically
excellent. Overall, this is a fantastic pair of German dueling pistols.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 1268
Exceptional Presentation Cased Pair of Finely Engraved, Relief Carved,
and Gold Inlaid F. Bauernfeind Percussion Target Pistols
-A) F. Bauernfeind Target Pistol - NSN, 40 cal., 8 3/8 inch octagon bbl.,
blue/casehardened/gold finish, walnut stock. Friedrich Bauernfeind
of Heidelberg, Germany, was active c. 1847-1888. The textured twist
pattern welded barrels are rifled and has dovetailed blade front sights
and engraved and gold banded breech plugs. Screw adjustable notch
rear sights are featured on the standing breech along with “1” and
“2”. The back action locks have “F. BAUERNFEIND IN HEIDELBERG.”
in gold inlay along the upper rear edges and full-coverage scroll
engraving along with a fish head design on the hammers. The pistols
are equipped with adjustable single set triggers, blued spurred trigger
guards, and blued pommel caps with gold inlaid “coronet/GR” ciphers.
The case lid escutcheon also features a “coronet/GR” monogram. Another
similarly inlaid pair by Bauernfeind is also known. The figured walnut
stocks have relief scroll carving at the forends and checkering on the wrists.
The case has figured veneer panels, and the purple lined case interior is
closely fitted and contains a suite of loading and maintenance equipment,
including a conical bullet mold and the rear sight adjustment key.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with distinct twist patterns along the barrel,
bright gold inlays, 85% plus original blue and casehardened finish, and minor
handling wear. The stock is very fine and has crisp checkering and carving,
minor cracks in the pommel, and light scratches and dings. Mechanically
excellent. The case is fine and has a crack and some separation on the lid and general minor
storage related wear. The accessories are very fine and have minimal age related wear.
B) F. Bauernfeind Target Pistol - NSN, 40 cal., 8 3/8 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/gold
finish, walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with distinct twist patterns along the barrel, bright gold inlays, 85%
plus original blue and casehardened finish, and minor handling wear. The stock is very fine and
has crisp checkering and carving, faint cracks in the pommel, and scattered light scratches. Mechanically excellent. Overall, this is a very attractive case pair of pistols certainly worthy of a European prince.
Estimate: 7,000 - 10,000
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