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LOT 3333
Chiseled, Engraved, and Carved Pair of Flintlock Holster Pistols by Surber of Wiesbaden
-A) Surber Flintlock Pistol - Serial no. 43, 20 bore cal., 13 1/8 inch round bbl., bright/gold finish, walnut
stock. These pistols date to c. 1730 and were sold to Norman R. Blank by Arthur Yates around July 1964.
Yates’s description for the pair reads: “An extremely fine pair of long horseman’s flintlock pistols (20”) signed
by SURBER in WISBADEN. These ‘Berain’ style pistols are of a particularly refined nature for German work and have a
lot of French quality. The mounts are of gilded bronze done to stylized foliage with a Roman head on the sideplate and a grotesque butt. The
locks are nicely engraved and in the finest condition both inside and out. The barrels are truly a work of art in that they are chiseled for one third
their length with stylized foliage and a grotesque against a finely pebbled ground. This work is of the highest quality. The condition of the pair
is excellent plus.” In addition to what Mr. Yates wrote, we note that the pistols feature etched Damascus barrels with blade front sights with flush
“spider” bases, flat locks with beveled edges, faceted priming pans, and “SURBER A WISBADEN” signatures as well as a boar on the tails behind the
cocks and Diana engraved at the center; wrist escutcheons with coronets and lion supporters, “No 42” and “No 43” respectively stamped on the walnut
stocks near the toes, relief scroll carving, and horn forend caps. The wooden ramrods also feature horn tips.
CONDITION: Very fine with silver-gray and gray patina on the lock and barrel, most of the bright gilt finish remaining on the mounts, crisp engraving and chiseling, distinct markings, and
minor wear. The stock is also very fine and has crisp carving, insect damage to the horn end cap, minor dings and scratches, and faint cracks and repairs. Mechanically fine.
B) Surber Flintlock Pistol - Serial no. 42, 20 bore cal., 13 1/8 inch round bbl., bright/gold finish, walnut stock. As described in “A.”
CONDITION: Very fine with mainly gray and silver-gray patina on the lock and barrel, most of the bright original gilt finish remaining on the mounts, distinct engraving and chiseling,
crisp markings, and minor overall wear. The stock is also very fine and has crisp carving, minor dings and scratches, and some faint cracks and repairs. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: Arthur Yates; The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
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