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LOT 3140
Very Fine Cased Engraved Tipping & Lawden Model 2 Sharps Patent Pepperbox Pistol - Serial no. 853, 30 RF cal., 3 inch fluted bbl., blue/silver finish, gutta percha grips. Tipping & Lawden of Birmingham, England, were one of only two foreign firms licensed by Sharps to manufacture these pistols in Europe and manufactured around 4,000 of them in the 1860s and 1870s mixed between several calibers. Since they were designed to be readily carried, most are well-worn, but this example is high condition and has beautiful engraved English scrollwork and rosettes on nearly all of the frame, essentially excluding only the front grip strap, as well as panels of scrollwork around the textured gripping sections on the sides of the barrels and a border pattern on the muzzles. The grips are the standard acanthus scrollwork patterned gutta percha type commonly found on their pistols. The barrel group is finished blue and has a post front sight and Birmingham proofs on the sides. The silver-plated frame at the breech has a groove for a rear sight and is marked “TIPPING & LAWDEN/SHARPS PATENT” around the hammer screw on the left. It comes in a highly figured hardwood case with engraved escutcheon and banner, fitted interior, and a bore rod and key inside. This Christian Sharps design was easily one of the most concealable weapons of the period and has also become somewhat of a cultural icon of the era thanks to Hollywood.
CONDITION: Very fine with 75% plus original blue finish, 98% original silver plating with attractive natural aged patina, crisp engraving, and minor overall wear. The grips are fine and have mild handling wear, aged tones, and small loss at the corners. Mechanically excellent. The case is also very fine and has mild age and storage wear and absent key-hole escutcheon.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 3141
Exceptional James Rodgers Etched Blade “Self Protector”
Percussion Knife Pistol - NSN, 31 cal., 3 3/8 inch octagon bbl.,
bright finish, horn grips. Measuring 6 1/2 inches in the closed
position, this pistol has an in-line percussion barrel in German silver positioned on top of a
dual blade pocketknife. The knife blades (both spear point, 3 1/2 and 2 1/2 inches) bear the “JAMES/ RODGERS/SHEFFIELD” address on the left ricasso, while the longer blade is acid etched on the left side with floral scroll, “SELF/PROTECTOR”, and an American eagle. The barrel is stamped with a pair of “crossed scepter” proofs, with a smooth vertical spur hammer and a folding trigger. A pair of horn panels cover the sides of the body, with a steel tweezer set (stuck) slotted into the right panel and a German silver bullet mold on the left. A small, empty compartment is present in the butt.
CONDITION: Very fine, the blades showing mostly original bright with some scattered light spotting and clear original acid etching on the larger blade. The German silver shows an attractive aged patina overall. The grip scales are fine with a few minor chips in the right panel and otherwise light handling marks. The trigger does not hold in the folded position, otherwise mechanically fine.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
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LOT 3142
Henry C. Booth & Co. Sheffield Spearpoint Bowie Knife with Sheath - Manufactured c. mid-19th century by Henry C. Booth & Co. of Sheffield, England. The overall length is 13 inches with a 8 inch spearpoint blade marked “H.C. BOOTH & Co/SILVER STEEL/SHEFFIELD” on the ricasso. The coffin shaped handle is made up of the full visible tang with a German silver guard, German silver pommel, both decorated with floral designs, and stag grip scales with a German silver escutcheon on one of the panels. The sheath is of brown leather with German silver fittings. CONDITION: Fine, the blade mostly bright with some evidence of light sharpening, scattered patches of light pitting and darker grey patina, and a few scattered light nicks in the edge. The German silver shows an attractive lightly aged patina overall. The grip scales are also fine with a few hairline age cracks. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3143
Attractive George Wostenholm & Son Sheffield I-XL Bowie Knife with Sheath - Manufactured in the mid- late 1800s by the George Wostenholm firm of Sheffield, England. The Wostenholm company moved into their huge Washington Works facility, perfectly positioning them to deal with the demands of the American market during the period of western expansion. The overall length is 12 5/8 inches with an 8 inch drop point blade. The left side of the blade is marked with the Washington Works address and the I-XL trademark on the left ricasso. The grip has a full visible tang, German silver guard with floral motifs, and stag grip scales featuring a German silver escutcheon on the left. The sheath is of red-brown leather and marked “I-XL”. CONDITION: Very good, the blade showing mostly a bright grey patina with some scattered small patches of light pitting, noticeable evidence of sharpening, and clear markings. The German silver shows an attractively aged patina. The attractive age darkened grip scales are both very fine with minimal handling evidence. The sheath is good with missing belt stud and moderate wear. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3144
George Woodhead Sheffield Bowie Knife with Half-Horse Half- Alligator Pommel and Sheath - The George Woodhead firm was in operation under his name alone from 1849 to 1875 at 36 Howard Street in Sheffield, before later becoming known as George Woodhead & Sons. Like most Sheffield knife maker’s, Woodhead’s largest market would have been in the United States, especially during the Civil War. It measures 10 inches overall with a 5 3/4 inch clip point blade marked “G. WOODHEAD/36 HOWARD STREET/ SHEFFIELD” on the left ricasso. The oval guard is German silver. The coffin shaped grip has a cast silver half-horse half-alligator pommel and smooth antique ivory grip scales with a small German silver escutcheon on the left. The included sheath is of brown leather with faint gilt floral motifs and German silver fittings. CONDITION: Good, the blade mostly a bright grey patina with evidence of extensive period sharpening/use and some scattered patches of light pitting. The German silver and silver show an attractively aged patina. The slightly age- darkened grip scales are also good with a minor crack in the left and light handling marks. The sheath is very good with moderate wear and aging. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750