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LOT 1190 Melchior Baker of Pennsylvania Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 69 cal., 9 inch round bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. “Bakers” signed on the lock. Melchior Baker of Georges Township in Fayette County, Pennsylvania was an active gunmaker between circa 1781-1804. He established an arms factory with the financial backing of Albert Gallatin, and supplied the state and national governments with broadswords and muskets. Gallatin joined Thomas Jefferson’s cabinet in 1801 as the Secretary of the Treasury and withdrew from the gunmaking firm, disposing of his interest to Baker, who continued the operation with the assistance of his sons. An 1804 dated payment of $1,333.33 for arms furnished to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is known, indicating they were active at least until then, and would subsequently close when the government armories, Springfield and Harpers Ferry, went into large scale production. This flintlock pistol features a roller frizzen and light engraving on the barrel tang, trigger guard and butt pommel. It appears to have been made with intent for sale to an officer. CONDITION: Good, with dark brown patina overall, scattered light pitting, and clear engraving and lock marking. Brass fittings exhibit darkened and bright patinas. Stock is also good with numerous scattered scratches, dents, cracks, chips, an absent section at the front left tip of the forend, and period filled in repairs at the edges. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1191
Philadelphia Percussion Kentucky Pistol - NSN, 40 cal., 8 1/4 inch octagon bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. Illegible maker markings above “PHILADa” marked on the lock. American flintlock pistols by individual gunmakers, often termed “Kentucky” pistols as companions to the famous “Kentucky” rifles, are generally considered rare. By some estimates, there are hundreds of surviving rifles per pistol. German silver blade front sight and dovetail mounted notch rear sight on the octagon barrel with seven-groove rifling. CONDITION: Good with brown patina, scattered light pitting, and slightly worn lock markings. Stock is also good with scattered scratches, dings, and light to mild cracks. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1192
Levi Butterfield of Lynn, Massachusetts Percussion Pistol with Long Barrel - NSN, 50 cal., 12 inch octagon bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. “L. BUTTERFIELD/LYNN Ma” marked on top of the smoothbore barrel. Levi Butterfield of Lynn, Massachusetts was an active gunmaker between 1857-1868. German silver blade front sight without provisions for a rear sight. Features silver wire inlaid design in the stock around the barrel tang. CONDITION: Good, with brown patina overall, scattered light pitting, and a clear barrel marking. Stock is also good with numerous scattered scratches, a few cracks visible on either side at the front of the forend, a repaired crack on the underbelly, a repaired and spliced section above the hammer with a crack ahead of the hammer, and an otherwise good figure overall. Partially absent nipple, otherwise mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1193
Engraved and Carved B. Homer Marked Brass Barreled American Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 65 cal., 9 inch round bbl., brown/bright finish, walnut stock. “B. HOMER” marked on the inside of the lock. B. Homer is listed as an active gunmaker between circa 1771-1806. Benjamin Homer (1731-1776) and his son, Benjamin Perrott Homer (1761-1838), were listed as merchants in Boston per Smith and Bitter in “Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock, 1760-1845.” Engraved with border and light floral designs on the lock, barrel, barrel tang, sideplate, trigger guard and pommel. Clamshell relief carving in the stock behind the breech. Brass barrel and furniture. The muzzle flares slightly. CONDITION: Very good, the brass exhibits an attractive slightly darkened golden aged patina with a blackened appearance around the flash hole, artificially applied brown patina visible on the lock with some scattered light pitting, and defined engraving overall. Stock is also very good as re-oiled with scattered scratches, a few chips, a few cracks and repairs in and around the ramrod channel, and various discreet repairs around the edges. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
LOT 1194
“John Dresbach Jnr.” Signed “Kentucky” Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 45 cal., 9 7/8 inch part octagon bbl., bright finish, maple stock. John Dreisbach Jr. of Mifflinburg was active c. 1820-1850. The seven- groove rifled, octagon to round barrel has a dot pattern on the muzzle, low blade and notch sights, “John Dresbach Jnr” signed on top, and another marking ending with an “H” on the upper right flat. The inside of the lock has an “H/H” type marking. The wrist has a nickel-silver oval escutcheon with wavy line border engraving; the other furniture is brass. The lightly figured maple stock has incised line molding and carving on the forend. CONDITION: Good as reconverted to flintlock configuration. The barrel and lock have mottled gray and brown patina and moderate oxidation and pitting. The barrel signature is newer, and the vent is enlarged. The brass has aged patina. The refinished stock is fair with a separated, reglued crack visible in the grip. It will drop from half-cock if the trigger is pulled but is otherwise mechanically fine. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
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