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LOT 3304 Scarce and Massive Northern European Matchlock Wall Gun with Fish Tail Butt - NSN, 1 inch cal., 49 1/2 inch part octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This massive wall gun dates to the early 17th century and measures 66 inches from the muzzle to the heel. The barrel has a blade front sight, “tunnel” rear sight, some bands of engraving, and a few unidentified maker’s or ownership markings on the barrel. The barrel has a hook that projects through the bottom of the forend to help steady the gun on the ramparts. The lock has a “crown/GH” maker’s marking and a bestial mask on the serpentine. The furniture is iron. The ramrod is fitted off to the side. The stock has the large “fishtail” butt with a thumb rest. CONDITION: Good. The metal displays mostly silver-gray patina and has moderate to heavy pitting. The stock is also good and has a protective coating over moderate overall age and storage related wear. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 7,000 - 11,000
LOT 3305 Massive Dutch Flintlock Military Wall Gun - NSN, 95 cal., 55 1/4 inch round bbl., bright finish, hardwood stock. Dating to the 1790s, this massive wall gun has a blade front sight, flared muzzle, hook under the barrel, small rampant lion mark on top at the breech, “65” on the left at the breech, and brass furniture. The stock has some markings on the right side of the butt, including “A23” and “CH.” A very similar wall gun was sold by RIAC in 2016 that was formerly part of the United States Cartridge Co. Collection and was featured on page 96 and discussed on page 97 of “The United States Cartridge Co. Collection of Firearms” where it was identified as: “Dutch Flint-lock Wall-piece, cal. 96 It has a spur on the barrel near the muzzle. This is used for catching it on the outer wall or edge of the porthole to check the recoil when the gun is fired. From an old fort in Amsterdam, Holland.” Similar guns were found in the Henk Visser Collection. See J.P Puype, “The Visser Collection: Vol. 1, Part 1” pages 470-475. CONDITION: Fine with silver-gray patina on the lock and barrel, minor pitting, aged patina on the brass, and mild overall wear. The stock is very good and has a detached forend tip, a few hairline cracks, and general scratches and dings. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 3306
Interesting and Unique Long Flintlock Pike-Musket - NSN, 75 cal., 22 inch round bbl., bright finish, hardwood
stock. This weapon has components similar to British martial arms of the early 19th century, such as the side plate,
but has no identifying markings. Other patterns of experimental pike-muskets were designed during the Napoleonic
Wars. A combination weapon like this could have been suited as a replacement for the shorter boarding pikes still
widely employed by many navies in the early 19th century but could also have been useful for infantry squares
facing off against cavalrymen or perhaps as a substitute for an officer’s spontoon. Such a weapon would not be a very
good replacement for a musket in broader infantry use. The overall length is around 8 feet. The pike head has a 5 inch spike. The ramrod is fitted on the right side in the midsection of the shaft. The musket section is held to the stock by screw fastened iron bands. The trigger is fitted behind the lock, so that it can be pulled while holding the pike normally.
CONDITION: Very good with gray patina on the iron, some minor pitting, aged patina on the brass side plate, some minor chips on the shaft, small spots of insect damage, and general mild dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr.
192 Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500