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LOT 275
LOT 278
Factory Engraved and Gold Inlaid Manufacture
Francaise d’Armes & Cycles de St. Etienne
Gaulois No. 1 Palm Squeezer Pistol - Serial no.
11383, 8 mm cal., 2 1/4 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened/gold finish,
pearl grips. “Manufrance” manufactured these distinctive “squeezer” pistols c.
1893-1912. These pistols were initially called the Mitrailleuse (from “Grapeshot”)
from 1893 to approximately 1895 before being re-branded as the Le Gaulois
(native people of France as in the Gauls). This Gaulois has the manufacturer
mark on the rear of the frame at the top, “Cal.” and “8m/m” at the front, and the
Manufrance logo along with “GAULOIS” on the barrel in gold inlay. The left side
of the action has the three position selector switch with “S”, “F”, and “D” markings
in gold inlay. The trigger mechanism has a mother of pearl grip pad. The barrel
has a round post front sight, and the dust cover and front of the frame are serrated. It has extensive scroll engraving patterns.
CONDITION: Fine with 50% original blue finish remaining, 80% plus original case colors, bright original gold inlays, crisp engraving, and some minor oxidation and pitting. The pearl pad is very fine and has minor handling wear. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 279
Engraved Lebeda Engineering LLC. Percussion
Ring Pistol with Case - NSN, 177 cal., 3/4 inch
round bbl., blue/bright 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 three glass
vials holding shooting materials. Chewing tobacco, much
like these ring pistols, has been a classic feature of 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, retaining 95% plus of the blue finish and the brass bright with crisp engraving. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine showing an attractive aged patina.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 280
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 made, the case of the watch retaining most of the nickel finish and the face showing some light staining and glue residue. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with some light handling/storage wear. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
Desirable Factory Engraved
Antique E. Remington & Sons
Over/Under Derringer with
Case - Serial no. 2383, 41 RF cal.,
3 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish,
antique ivory grips. Remington’s
classic over/under derringers, aka
the “Double Derringer” or “Model
95,” are undoubtedly among the
most iconic pocket pistols of the
American West. The design was
patented by William H. Elliot on
December 12, 1865, and remained
in production by Remington until
1935. This pistol is one of the early
version and has the two-line “E.
REMINGTON & SONS, ILION, N.Y./ELLIOT’S PATENT DECEMBER 12TH
ejector fitted to the left side. The scroll engraving patterns on the barrel and frame are designs found on a select number of other early Remington derringers. The serial number is on the bottom of the lower barrel and on the frame under the left grip and also hand written on the back of each grip. It comes in a watch style wood case.
CONDITION: Very fine with 80% original nickel plating, crisp engraving and markings, and general
mild overall wear. The grips are also very fine and have attractive grain and aged patina. Mechanically excellent. The case is good and has mild age and storage related wear including detached lower lining. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 276
Cased Lebeda Engineering LLC Percussion
Ring Parlor and Saloon Pistol - NSN, 240 cal.,
1 inch round bbl., blue/bright finish, metal grips.
This interesting ring pistol was designed and
manufactured by master gunsmith Francis C.
Lebeda. The five-shot revolver cylinder is capable
of firing a .240 caliber round ball using a primer
(likely a 209 primer). This ring pistol also features
light engraving on the left side, bottom, and top.
Included is a blue fabric covered case. A plaque
on the case has the family history of master
gunsmith Francis C. Lebeda.
CONDITION: Very fine as custom made, retains
95% plus of the blue finish which shows some light pitting underneath it and bright brass overall with crisp engraving. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with minimal wear.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 277
Cased Engraved Lebeda Engineering LLC. Percussion
Ring Parlor and Saloon Pistol with Case - NSN, 240 cal.,
1 inch slab sided bbl., niter blue/bright 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
tin Jack Daniel’s playing card case with a Lebeda plaque on
the bottom, an unopened package of playing cards, and an
extra cylinder that appears to be in .177 caliber.
CONDITION: Very fine as custom made, retains 90% of the
niter blue and the brass remains mostly bright with crisp
engraving. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with
some light handling/storage wear.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
1865” marking on the rib and an
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