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LOT 290
Elaborate Pair of Engraved and
Gilt Bohemian Flintlock Holster
Pistols Made for Grand Duke
Ernst August I of Saxe-Weimar
-A) Flintlock Holster Pistol - NSN, 58
cal., 13 3/8 inch round bbl., blue/gold finish, fruitwood
stock. This pair of pistols is being de-accessioned from
the famed George F. Harding Jr. Collection at the Art
Institute of Chicago (reference number 1982.2321a-
b) and were made for Grand Duke Ernst August I
(1707-1748) of Saxe-Weimar in Carlsbad, Bohemia, c.
1710-1720 and maintained in the gun cabinet at Schloss Ettersburg until the collection was sold to E. Kahlert & Son of Berlin in
1926-1927. They feature smoothbore barrels with extensive gilt martial engraving and fire blued finish. The cocks are likewise fire blued and have gilt panels with
engraving. The flat beveled locks and mounts are gilt brass decorated with attractive interlaced scroll patterns, including on the elaborate fences on the frizzen
springs. The wrist escutcheons include a coronet.
CONDITION: Fine with bright gold, 75% plus fire blue, minor oxidation, cracks and repairs concentrated in the forend, and some replacement parts.
Mechanically functions. B) Flintlock Holster Pistol - NSN, 58 cal., 13 3/8 inch round bbl., blue/gold finish, fruitwood stock. As described in “A.”
CONDITION: Fine with much of the gold and blue finish remaining, mild overall wear, light oxidation, slivers and small chips absent from the forend,
and faint repairs. Mechanically functions.
Provenance: The Collection of the Dukes of Saxe-Weimar at Schloss Ettersburg; E. Kahlert & Sohn;
The George F. Harding Jr. Collection; The Art Institute of Chicago.
Estimate: 9,500 - 15,000
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