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LOT 245
Highly Attractive Exhibition Engraved and Gold Inlaid
Perrin Patent Model 1865 Double Action Revolver by Heinrich Barella -
NSN, 11 mm CF cal., 5 7/8 inch round bbl., blue/gold finish, walnut stock. Manufactured c.
mid-1860s, this is a highly attractive example of an embellished Perrin patent Model 1865
revolver, made for a Royal individual, by Heinrich Barella of Magdeburg, Germany. It features
high quality floral scroll engraving and gold inlays including floral accents along with “H.
BARRELA. HOF-BUCHSENMACHER/Sr. MAJESTAT DESKONIGS v PREUSSEN” in gold inlay on the
top straps of the frame and “Sr. MAJESTAT des KAISERS v. RUSSLAND.” on top of the barrel. These
gold inlaid markings translate to “H. Barella Court Gunmaker/His Majesty the King of Prussia” and “His Majesty the
Emperor of Russia”. Heinrich Friedrich Wilhelm Barella (1819-1893) was a master gunmaker who established his shop in Magdeburg
in 1844, and is listed as an active gunmaker to the Royal Prussian Court around 1860, supplied firearms for the Royal Court in Berlin
around 1871, with the company still active as late as 1906 under the direction of his grandnephew Max Barella, according to listed
gunmaker information translated from pages 54-55 of “Der Neue Stockel, Volume 1” by Heer. Barella was reported to have had clients
such as the King of Italy and Romania as well as the Tsar of Imperial Russia. Ornate floral scroll and border pattern engraving on the frame,
cylinder, trigger guard, grip strap and pommel. Dovetail mounted blade front sight on the barrel, with a grooved notch in the top strap of
the frame serving as the rear sight, and a rear opening loading gate on the right.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% original blue finish with some areas faded to smooth gray and brown patina on the balance,
99% of the original gold inlay, with absolutely crisp engraving
overall. Grip is also fine with a few small nicks in the otherwise defined
checkering. Mechanically fine. This is a highly attractive example of an
embellished Perrin patent revolver, likely made for royalty!
Estimate: 7,500 - 15,000
LOT 246
Attractively Etched and Gilded Dumonthier Style Double Barrel Percussion Knife Pistol - Serial no. 2, 40 cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl., bright/gold finish, ebony
grips. These distinctive double barrel knife pistols were designed by Joseph-Celestin Dumonthier who patented “couteaux de chasse pistolets” (knives with hunting
pistols) in 1840. This one does not have the usual Dumonthier markings, and the etching has a Persian/Indian style to it. The 14 1/4 inch blade has “LD” marked on
the left ricasso, a small raised “barb” on the blade that may be meant as a sight, elaborate etched floral and scroll engraving along with a fiery breathing quadruped
dragon with curled forked tail on the left side, and a pair of sejant erect Asiatic lions with crossed tails,
a diving bird (possibly the mythical Huma of Persian legend or a phoenix), two perched peacocks on
the right. The ribbon steel barrels have scroll engraving at the muzzles and breeches with gilding. The
quillions have scroll etching, and the upper quillions serve as the hammers. The ebony grips have skillful
fine checkering with carved borders. “2” is marked on each of the hammers and on the frame under the
left grip. A lanyard ring is fitted on the butt.
CONDITION: Fine with distinct etching 70% original gilding, mild patination on the balance, repaired crack
on the left hammer spur, and mild overall wear. The grip panels have crisp checkering with a few minor
marks, a few faint tension cracks, and minor handling wear. Mechanically fine. Definitely a very attractive
and unusual Dumonthier type knife pistol.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
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