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LOT 316
Engraved and Gold Inlaid
Gosset Underhammer
Percussion Pistol - NSN, 50
cal., 6 1/2 inch octagon bbl.,
gold/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This pistol is one of a pair made by Parisian gunmaker Louis-Marin Gosset c. 1820-1840. Gosset
worked as an assistant to Nicholas-Noel Boutet at the Versailles Manufactory before establishing his own shop. He patented a paper priming
patch in 1820. A pair of Gosset flintlock pistols were declared to be a French National Treasure and had been owned by Napoleon, and he
considered using them in his suicide attempt in 1814. The pistol has a distinctive underhammer action and an octagonal barrel with fine rifling, a nickel-silver post front sight, bands of engraving at
the muzzle and breech, “GOSSET BREVETE” in ornate script in gold inlay on top along with gold inlaid floral accents. The action and breech end of the barrel have gold inlaid “2” markings, and there is a
notch rear sight. The upper tang is also gold inlaid with “GOSSET/*A PARIS*” in an oval, and the action is finely engraved. The pistol’s figured walnut grip is finely checkered.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine overall with nearly all of the bright original gold inlay remaining, 60% plus original case colors, gray and brown patina on the balance, crisp engraving, and fairly
minor overall wear. The grip is excellent with nearly all of the original varnish and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 318
Exceptional Cased Pair of
Engraved J. E. Evans Philadelphia
Percussion Dueling Pistols
Inscribed to Charles Camblos Jr. -A)
J. E. Evans Percussion Dueling Pistol - NSN, 50 cal., 9 1/2 inch octagon bbl., brown/
casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. This pair of pistols was manufactured c. 1850-
1869 and features browned smoothbore barrels with dovetailed blade front sights, “J.
E. EVANS/PHILADA” marked on the top flats, and scroll engraved casehardened breech
plugs with sculpted bolsters. The casehardened standing breeches feature notch rear
sights and foliate and scroll engraving. The casehardened locks and mounts feature
scroll and border engraving. The stocks have a Schnabel tip and checkered wrists.
The pair comes in a brass cornered case with fitted interior containing rods, a mallet,
powder flask, cap tin, screwdriver, nipple wrench, a bullet mold for ball or elongated
ball bullets, and a compartment with numerous balls. The case lid escutcheon is
inscribed “Mr. Charles Camblos Ir./Philadelphia, Pa.” Charles Camblos Jr. (1848-1887) of
Philadelphia was a wealthy stockbroker and married actress and opera singer Lillian
Conway in 1877. Together they had two children before separating.
CONDITION: Very fine overall with 75% plus of the lightly fading original brown on the
barrel, 90% plus original case colors, 95% original blue finish, distinct engraving and
markings, crisp checkering, and generally only minor age and storage related wear.
Mechanically excellent. The case is fine and has some of the strapping loose, cracks,
and minor storage wear. The accessories are fine to very fine with generally light wear.
B) J. E. Evans Percussion Dueling Pistol - NSN, 50 cal., 9 1/2 inch octagon bbl.,
brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. As described in “A.”
CONDITION: Very fine overall with 80% plus of the lightly fading original brown finish
and original case colors, 95% plus original blue finish, distinct engraving and markings, crisp checkering, and generally only minor age and
storage related wear such as a few minor scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: Charles Camblos Jr.; A Private Collection.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 317
Ornately Engraved German B. Scheufler Single Shot Target Pistol - NSN, 22 RF cal., 12 3/8 inch part octagon bbl., blue finish,
horn grips. Manufactured c. the late 1800s to early 1900s, this is an extensively embellished example of a single shot target or parlor
pistol by B. Scheufler of Berlin. Pistols such as this one were very popular among the upper echelons of European and American society around the turn of
the century for competitive target shooting and casual sport. The frame, trigger guard, grip frame on this example are extensively engraved with vine and leaf pattern
engraving on a punchdot background and a crosshatched pattern around the pommel of the grip. The barrel has floral scroll patterns scattered throughout and
crosshatched patterns on the lower flats. The top of the barrel is marked “B.SCHEUFLER/BERLIN” just in front of the rear wedding band transition. The bottom of the barrel in
the same area has crown over “B”, “U”, and “G” proofs, as well as “459”. It is fitted with a beaded blade front sight with protective wings, an adjustable notch rear sight, a finger spur on
the trigger guard, and a pair of very finely checkered horn grips.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 85% of the period refurbished blue finish over some patches of light pitting, 50% of the gold plating on the hammer and trigger, and the remainder showing a
bright, lightly aged brass with crisp engraving overall. The grips are very fine with some light wear and a few light handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500