Page 71 - 87-BOOK3

LOT 3082
Very Scarce Falisse & Trapmann
Delvigne Patent Rotary Lever
Underhammer Breech Loading Pinfire
Single Shot Pocket Pistol - Serial no. 115, 9 mm Pinfire cal., 3 1/2
inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This scarce and unique pistol design is based on the French Delvigne patent 12683 which was issued on 22 January 1852, with this example having been produced by Falisse & Trapmann in Liege, Belgium. The Falisse & Trapmann “F.T” marking is on the left of the grip frame and “FT/D” is marked on both the back strap and inside surface of the lever. The lever and back strap are also marked with the serial number “115”.
The design is very interesting in that turning the rotary lever counter clockwise withdraws the breech from the barrel, allowing it to tip up for loading, and the reverse operation locks it. There is a cocking lever on the butt, which cocks the under hammer when pushed forward, and the trigger is on the front strap. It is fitted with bead and notch sights and a pair of smooth walnut grips.
LOT 3085
Unique Lebeda Engineering LLC. Elgin Pocket Watch Percussion “Pistol” with Case - NSN, 177 cal., 7/8 inch round bbl., nickel finish. Developed
in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, by Lebeda Engineering LLC. The frame of the pistol is a hollowed-out Elgin pocket watch, with a cocking piece in lieu of the winding knob, a manually set niter blue trigger
bar at 10 o’clock, a barrel extending out at the 6 o’clock position, and the hands permanently at 5 minutes to midnight. Elgin National Watch Co. was the largest manufacturer of pocket watches in the United States and were in operation from 1864 to 1968. The barrel has an integral nipple to accept a single charge for a cap gun and is manually loaded with a .177 inch BB. Gamblers of the old west era would have used similar concealed weapons to keep themselves safe in a poker game gone awry. The combination of percussion cap and muzzle loaded ball makes this neither a firearm nor is it considered an “any other weapon”. Includes a Jack Daniel’s branded playing card tin, fitted for the watch pistol, and a plastic wrapped
deck of playing cards.
CONDITION: Very fine as custom upgraded to current configuration, the watch case retaining most of the nickel finish with some scattered light handling marks and 50% of the nitre blue on the trigger. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine with some moderate wear.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 3086
N. Curry & Bro. Agent Marked “Peanut” Deringer Percussion Pocket Pistol - Serial no. 8, 40 cal., 1 1/2 inch flat top round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. These tiniest of percussion derringers are very popular with collectors. This one was manufactured around the 1860s, likely by Slotter & Co. The barrel has seven-groove rifling, a German silver blade front sight, notch rear sight on the tang, “N. CURRY & BRO./SAN FRANCO CALA/AGENTS” marked on top, and “DERINGER/PHILADA” and “P” marked on the German silver banded breech plug. The lock is marked “DERINGER/PHILADELA.” There is some floral and scroll engraving. “8” is marked on the trigger guard tang, wedge, and likely on the inside of the lock and bottom of the barrel. CONDITION: Very good with traces of original brown and casehardened finish mixed with dark patina, repaired hammer, and generally fairly minor wear. The refinished stock is also very good and has crisp checkering, and minor dings. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 3087
Aisne Two-Shot Percussion Knuckleduster with Folding Dagger - Serial no. 357, 31 cal., 2 1/4 inch fluted bbl., blue/bright finish,
brass grips. This c. mid-19th
century pistol has two-shot barrel group that is manually
rotated between shots, folding brass knuckles, a wavy 2 7/8 inch bayonet on
the left side, a Liege proof on the barrel group, “AISNE” marked on the right at the front, and “357” on the bottom and on the top knuckle. It is similar to the French Apache knuckleduster revolvers manufactured in the 1860s and 1870s. CONDITION: Very good with mottled gray and brown patina on the iron, attractively aged patina on the fine brass, and mild overall wear. The mainspring is a bit weak; otherwise mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
CONDITION: Fine, showing faint traces of the original blue finish and silvered case colors with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina and some scattered small patches of light surface pitting. The grips are very good with some light handling marks scattered throughout. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
LOT 3083
Engraved Lebeda Engineering LLC. Percussion Ring Pistol with Case -
NSN, 177 cal., 3/4 inch round bbl., nitre blue/brass finish, metal grips. This
interesting ring gun was manufactured by Francis C. Lebeda. The ring itself
is of brass construction with the cylinder, bar trigger, and plunger of blued
steel. Includes a copper case with a pewter plaque on top to make it appear
to be a mere can of Copenhagen chewing tobacco containing four glass vials holding shooting materials. Chewing tobacco, much like these ring pistols, have been a classic combination with the saloons and gamblers of the old west, making this cased set all the more unsuspecting. A plaque on the bottom of the case tells the family history of master gunsmith Francis C. Lebeda.
CONDITION: Very fine as custom made, retains 98% of the original nitre blue finish with some very light edge wear and mostly bright brass. Mechanically excellent. The case is excellent showing an attractive antique patina and minimal handling/storage evidence.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
LOT 3084
Cased Engraved Lebeda Engineering LLC. Percussion Ring Parlor and Saloon Pistol with Case - NSN, 240 cal., 1 inch slab sided bbl., nitre blue/brass finish, metal grips. This interesting ring pistol was designed and manufactured by master gunsmith Francis C. Lebeda. It uses a
percussion system and is convertible from an over/under style derringer to a five shot revolver. Similar style pistols were common throughout the world in the 19th century where they were often used as indoor target pistols. The over/under barrels are capable of firing a .240 caliber round ball using a number 209 primer. This ring pistol also features light engraving on the left side, bottom, and top, as well as the maker’s marks on the sides of
the barrel block. Includes a black velvet lined jewelry style case with a Lebeda plaque on the lid and an extra cylinder that appears to be in .177 caliber.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 99% of the custom nitre blue finish and mostly bright brass with some scattered light spotting. Mechanically excellent. The case is excellent with only the slightest handling/storage wear. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
69