Page 288 - 4095-BOOK3

LOT 3348
Pair of Engraved, Gold Banded, Silver Inlaid, and Ebony Stocked German Rifled Percussion Belt
Pistols by Tanner of Hanover -A) Tanner Belt Pistol - Serial no. 2439, 40 cal., 6 inch octagon bbl.,
blue/casehardened/German silver finish, ebony stock. This pair of 1830s-1850s pistols are signed
“TANNER IN HANNOVER” in silver inlay on the barrels which have eight-groove rifling, dovetailed
German silver blade front sights, thin gold bands on the breech plugs which are marked “A” and “B” respectively,
and gold inlaid centers on the engraved floral designs on the bolsters. The upper tangs have screw adjustable
notch rear sights and scroll engraving. The locks have scroll engraving, gold inlaid eyes
on the bestial hammers, and hammer stalls. The pistols are fired using adjustable single
set triggers. The mounts are German silver and feature masks on the spurred trigger
guards and pommels and the serial number “2439” on the trigger guard tangs. Blued
steel belt hooks are fitted to the left, and the ebony stocks have checkered wrists.
CONDITION: Fine with 40% original blue on the barrel, bright gold inlays, aged patina on the silver, gray
patina on the lock, aged patina on the mounts, crisp engraving, and minor overall wear. The stock is also
fine and has crisp checkering, minor marks and scratches, and a crack at the back of the lock. The set trigger
needs adjustments, but the pistol otherwise functions.
B) Tanner Belt Pistol - Serial no. 2439, 40 cal., 6 inch octagon bbl.,
blue/casehardened/German silver finish, ebony stock.
As described in “A.”
CONDITION: Very good with 20% original blue on the barrel, bright
gold inlays, aged patina on the silver inlays and German silver
mounts, gray patina on the lock, and minor overall wear. The stock is
fine and has crisp checkering, a few cracks, and minor scratches. The
set trigger needs adjustments, but the pistol otherwise functions.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 3347
Cased Pair of Engraved and Gold and Silver Inlaid Christian
Ludwig von der Fecht Percussion Conversion Pistols
-A) C. L. von der Fecht Percussion Pistol - NSN, 50 cal., 7 1/2 inch
octagon bbl., gold/silver/brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut
stock. Christian Ludwig von der Fecht (1769-1827) was a noted
gunmaker in Berlin. These pistols were originally manufactured in the
early 19th century and were then professionally converted around
the 1830s, likely also in Germany given the use of a hammer stall in
place of the frizzen. The rifled swamped octagonal barrels have dual
gold bands at the muzzles, “C. L. v. d. FECHT. IN BERLIN.” in gold on the top flats, and gold banded breech plugs with foliate engraving. The standing breeches have fixed notch rear sights and
“1” and “2” respectively in gold. The locks are also signed “C. L. v. d. FECHT” in gold and have border and lightning engraving along with chiseled bestial head hammers. The blued steel mounts
feature floral and martial trophy patterns. The side plates and pommel inlays are silver, and silver wire inlays are also featured around the stock panels, between the breech and checkered wrist,
and along the edges of the pommels. The forend caps and tips of the ramrods are horn. The pair comes in a bound case with gilt marking on the lid consisting of a prince’s crown over “K.S.”, rods, a
ball mold, and a small measure. The pommel inlays feature a crest of a coronet over a crow pecking at the eye of a decapitated Turk’s head. This crest is associated with the Schwarzenberg family and
the town of Orlík and Vltavou in Bohemia. Several princes from that family in the early 19th century were active in the Austrian government and military, including Karl Philip, Prince of Schwarzenberg
(1771-1820) who fought against the Turks as a general in the Austrian army as well as against the French during the French Revolutionary Wars.
CONDITION: Fine as period refinished with 75% plus brown finish remaining on the barrel, bright gold, dark aged patina on the silver, strong original casehardened finish on the lock, 95% plus blue finish, and fairly mild overall wear
including some light pitting on the barrel. The horn ramrod tip has some insect damage. The stock is also fine and has some spots of wear in the otherwise distinct checkering, a small repaired crack at the ramrod entry pipe finial,
and glossy varnish. Mechanically functions. The relined case is good with moderate wear including flaking of the exterior.
B) C. L. von der Fecht Percussion Pistol - NSN, 50 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., gold/silver/brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. As described in “A.”
CONDITION: Fine as period refinished with 90% plus brown finish remaining on the barrel, bright gold, dark aged patina on the silver, strong original casehardened finish on the lock, 95% plus blue finish, and fairly minor overall age
and storage related wear. The stock is also fine and has some spots of wear in the otherwise distinct checkering, minor insect damage on the horn cap, and glossy varnish. Mechanically functions.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
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