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LOT 289
Cased Pair of Engraved and Gold Banded H. Nock Flintlock Officer or Dueling Pistols -A) H. Nock Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 65 cal., 9 inch octagon bbl., brown/ casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. Henry Nock (1741-1804) was among the most talented and innovative of the English gunmakers in the late 18th century and early 19th century. A similar cased pair of pistols of smaller caliber that made near the end of his life is featured on page 23 of “London Gunmakers and the English Duelling Pistol, 1770- 1830” by Keith R. Dill. Like that pair, this pair lacks Nock’s famous patent breech. This pair is “carbine bore” (.65 caliber) which was common for English officer’s pistols and larger than was common on dueling pistols, but they would also have been suitable for use as dueling pistols given their fixed sights, smoothbore barrels, and set triggers. The barrels have fixed blade front sights, “-H. NOCK LONDON-” inscribed on tops, gold bands at the breech ends, platinum liners, and London proof and view marks flanking “TWISTED” on the bottoms. The locks have guttered “rainproof” pans, frizzen spring rollers, “-H-NOCK-” signed at the centers, burst and floral engraving, sliding half-cock safety latches, stepped tails, and beveled edges. The large trigger guards enclose adjustable single set triggers and have pineapple finials and floral engraving. The forend caps, wedge escutcheons, and wrist escutcheons are silver. The half-length stocks have checkered bag shaped wrists. One ramrod has a covered worm. The case has a Joseph Lang trade label inside marked “No 16,” a screwdriver, a ramrod tip, three-compartment powder flask, cleaning rod, and some lead balls. CONDITION: Very good with 90% of the dark refinished brown remaining on the barrel, bright gold band and platinum vent liner, attractive dark aged patina on the silver, 25% original case colors, gray and brown patina on the balance of the lock, 60% period refinished blue on the furniture, and mild overall wear. The stock is fine and has crisp checkering, some minor dings and scratches, and a few chips at the lock mortise edges. The safety is stuck, and the trigger needs some work; otherwise mechanically fine. The case and accessories are also very good and have mild age and storage related wear. B) H. Nock Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 65 cal., 9 inch octagon bbl., brown/ casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. See “A.” CONDITION: Very good with 85% plus of the dark refinished brown remaining on the barrel along with a bright gold band and platinum liner, attractive dark aged patina on the silver, 20% case colors, 75% period refinished blue on the trigger guard, lighter refinished blue on the ramrod entry pipe, gray and brown patina on the balance, some mild oxidation, and general mild overall wear. The stock is fine and has crisp checkering, some slight loss at the edges of the lock mortise, light scratches and dings, and minor overall wear. The set trigger needs some work; otherwise, mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 290
Cased Pair of Engraved W. Bond Flintlock Officers/Dueling Pistols -A) W. Bond Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 58 cal., 10 inch octagon bbl., brown/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. These early 19th century pistols would have been suitable for use by a military officer or for dueling. They may be by William Thomas Bond, son of Edward Bond. They feature London proofed, smoothbore, Damascus barrels with dovetailed blade front sights; fixed notch rear sights on the standing breeches, advanced engraved locks with “->W BOND <-” at the centers and sliding safeties at the tails, plain triggers, engraved casehardened furniture, and French Empire era style stocks with border carving around the checkering on the wrists. They come in a hardwood case with a modern reproduction William Bond trade label, a screwdriver, brush, lead balls, a few patches, unmarked three-way combination flask, James Dixon & Sons glass oiler bottle, round ball mold, cleaning rod, and key. CONDITION: Very good with period refinished brown finish and Damascus patterns along the barrel, patches of vibrant original case colors (particularly on the front of the trigger guard bow), cold blue touch up, gray and brown patina on the balance, a few patches of pitting on the barrel, mild handling wear on the otherwise distinct checkering, the usual general marks and scratches, and distinct markings. Aside from the safety, mechanically fine. B) W. Bond Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 58 cal., 10 inch octagon bbl., brown/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. See “A.” CONDITION: Very good with period refinished brown finish and distinct Damascus patterns on the barrel, patches of strong original case colors in the protected areas, gray and brown patina on the balance, pitting on the pommel cap and barrel, distinct markings, repaired cock, crisp checkering on the wrist, general dings and scratches, and a hairline crack at the forend tip on the left. Mechanically fine other than the safety. The refinished and relined case and the accessories are very good and have moderate overall wear. Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500 217