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LOT 266 Brass Barreled Large Flintlock Blunderbuss with Prussian Potsdam Arsenal Lock - NSN, 1 1/2 inch gauge, 20 1/4 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. The lock plate is marked “POTSDAMMAGAZ” and “D S E” indicating that it was manufactured under the direction of the firm David Splitgerber Erben under the leadership of Splitgerber’s son-in-laws at the Potsdam Arsenal in 1775-1795. The inside of the lock has a “VB” mark. The stepped up, reinforced brass barrel has a smaller diameter chamber in the breech that appears to be about 8 bore and then a 1 1/2 inch diameter at the crowned muzzle. The sideplate is an attractive pierced scrolling pattern. CONDITION: Good with attractive aged patina on the brass, dark gray patina and moderate pitting on the lock, and mild overall wear. The breech plug is only hand tight. The refinished stock is also good with some dings and scratches throughout, small chip at the tang, and chips at the toe. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr. Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 267 Scarce John Walker Flintlock “Blunderbuss” Pistol - NSN, 20 bore cal., 6 1/4 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. John Walker was apprenticed to Joseph Shorey in 1717 and became free of Gunmakers Co. by redemption after Shorey’s death and had his proof approved in 1722. He was elected as an assistant in 1740 and master in 1744. He was a gunmaker for the British East India Company in 1736-1747, and died in 1748. His shop is noted at the Cross Guns & Sun on Lombard Street. Thomas Gibson took control of the shop after Walker’s death. The pistol’s smoothbore barrel has a gradual flare out to over 1 inch at the muzzle and is closer to 20 bore at the breech. It is marked with London proof and view marks flanking Walker’s “*/IW” maker’s mark on the left, “WALKER LONDON” on top, and a band of engraving at the breech and has a gold vent liner. The lock has border engraving and is signed “WALKER.” The furniture is brass and has floral and martial patterns. The side plate has two severed heads and a scimitar. The wrist escutcheon has a palm tree, picket fence, and torse. The pommel stud has a grotesque mask. CONDITION: Very good with mottled gray and brown patina, some mild pitting concentrated at the muzzle and vent, attractively aged patina on the brass furniture, and mild overall wear. The stock is also very good and has some small chips, crisp carving and flats, attractive figure/grain, and mild overall wear. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 268 Engraved Griffin Flintlock Coach Gun/Blunderbuss - NSN, 18 gauge, 10 1/2 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. The short iron barrel has London proof and view marks flanking a “crown/F” stamp on the upper left, “GRIFFIN BOND ST. LONDON” on top of the barrel in an engraved panel, engraved iron tang, and 1 inch muzzle opening. The gauge is estimated. With a moderate flare at the muzzle to aid in loading and a short overall length of 25 1/2 inches, this gun would have made an excellent coach gun. The lock is signed “GRIFFIN” at center and has a bridled pan, ornate finial on the frizzen spring, sliding half-cock safety, and border engraving. The furniture is brass and mainly has scroll, floral, and border engraving. The wrist escutcheon has a coronet with four pearls over a rampant unicorn with a blazing sun in the background and a torse below. Joseph Griffin, son of Benjamin Griffin, was a gunmaker in London from the mid 18th century through 1782. He was in partnership with his father until 1770 and then with John Tow from 1772-1782. CONDITION: Very good with mottled gray patina on the barrel and lock, aged patina on the brass, and general mild overall wear. The stock is also very good and has a sliver absent along the right edge of the forend with general dings and scratches. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 269 Brass Barreled “H. Nock” Flintlock Blunderbuss - NSN, 20 gauge, 12 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This post-1813 blunderbuss has a Birmingham proofed barrel that flares out to around 1 1/4 inches at the muzzle but is approximately 20 gauge for most of the
length and is marked “LONDON” on top. The flat lock is marked “H-NOCK” and has some simple engraving. The furniture is brass and has floral and classical martial engraving. The stock has a checkered wrist. CONDITION: Very good with attractive aged patina on the brass throughout, reconverted lock with gray patina on the plate and dark brown on the components, distinct markings and engraving throughout, and crisp checkering on the wrist. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
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