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LOT 276
Engraved and
Gold Inlaid Durs
Egg Flintlock Double Barrel Flintlock
Sporting Gun - NSN, 18 gauge, 34 inch solid rib bbl.,
brown/gold/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. Durs
Egg (1748-1831) was one of the finest gunmakers in London
in the late 1700s and early 1800s. This c. 1800 double barrel
smoothbore sporting gun is signed “D. EGG, LONDON,” on
the concave rib in gold and also “D. Egg” on each lock plate.
The breech end of the barrels also feature dual gold bands
and gold vent liners, and the priming pans are gold lined.
The gun has a silver blade front sight and silver escutcheons,
including an “M” inscribed wrist escutcheon. The engraving includes foliate, scroll, and martial trophy patterns along with
game scenes on the stepped tails of the lock plates, the trigger guard bow, and the heel tang. The walnut half-stock has checkering on
the forend and wrist and a rounded cheekpiece.
CONDITION: Very good with 75% of the old refurbished brown finish and faint Damascus patterns on the barrels, bright
gold inlays, some old reblued finish on the trigger guard bow, gray and brown patina on the balance, minor oxidation/
pitting, absent ramrod tip, and mild wear. The stock is fair and has distinct checkering, some small flakes at the edges, dent
near the toe on the right, hairline crack in the forend, moderate wear, and general dings and scratches. The left trigger
and lock could use some adjustments, but the right lock and trigger are excellent. Overall, an attractive early 19th century
English flintlock double barrel shotgun by one of the late flintlock era’s great gunmakers.
Provenance: The Dr. Howard Andrews Collection; The Wilbur Henry Hoffeld Collection; The
Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 3,750 - 5,500
LOT 277
Engraved, Carved, and Gold Accented Durs Egg Over/
Under Flintlock Belt Pistol - NSN, 48 cal., 4 1/4 inch
octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, mahogany
grips. Manufactured c. 1785 by Swiss born gunmaker Durs
Egg (1748-1831). Egg was established in London by 1772,
and his shop produced a wide array of high quality firearms,
including his distinctive over/under pistols which found
favor with the British Royal Family, and he worked as a private
gunmaker, Ordnance contractor, and gunmaker to King George
IV and the Duke of York. The barrels feature eight-groove rifling,
blade and notch sights on the upper barrel, a crowned “D. EGG/
LONDON” gold-lined sunken maker’s mark on top at the breech, upper gold band, gold vent liners, and London proof and view
marks situated on the lower left flat of the upper barrel and the upper left flat of the lower barrel. A belt hook is fitted to the lower left
flat, and an iron ramrod is fitted on the underside. The locks are each signed “D Egg” and have burst, foliate, and martial trophy engraving patterns, frizzen rollers, and stepped
tails with sliding safeties. The iron mounts are engraved en suite. The locks are fired using a single trigger set to trip the right lock and upper barrel first. The mahogany stock
has raised relief floral carving and a flat sided bag shaped grip.
CONDITION: Fine with distinct markings and engraving, traces of original finish, bright original gold, gray and brown patina on the balance, minor oxidation, and generally
fairly minor age and storage related wear overall. The wood is also fine and has distinct carving, attractive grain, faint repairs, and general minor scratches and dings.
Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000