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LOT 294
Cased Pair of Engraved and Gold Inlaid Lepage Percussion Dueling/Target Pistols -A) Lepage Dueling/Target Pistol - Serial no. 113, 50 cal., 7 7/8 inch octagon bbl., blue/gold/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The rifled barrels have dovetailed blade front sights, “ACIER FONDU” (Fluid Steel) in gold on top, and breech plugs with “1” and
“2” respectively in gold inlay, scroll engraving, and nicely sculpted bolsters. The standing breeches have notch rear sights and corresponding “1” and “2” markings in gold inlay. The underside of the barrels have a monogram and “DDB.” The breech hooks are marked “4,” and the standing breeches are marked “113.” The locks have “Lepage a Paris” in gold inlay along with scrollwork with inlaid accent lines. The furniture has coordinating engraving and lined accents. The nicely figured stocks have relief scroll carving on the forends and left flats as well as fluted wrists. The pair comes in a fitted case with a suite of loading and maintenance accessories. The case lid has a “GH” monogram.
CONDITION: Fine with 90% plus of the period refinished blue, extensive minor pitting visible under the finish, most of the bright gold remaining, aged patina on the silver inlays, crisp engraving, mostly smooth gray patina on the balance, and some minor oxidation. The barrel/breech plug are slightly out of index. The stock has a repaired section on the left side but is otherwise very fine and has crisp carving and minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine and has mild age and storage related wear including some chips and cracks in the wood. The accessories are very fine with minimal light age and storage related wear. B) Lepage Dueling/Target Pistol - Serial no. 113, 50 cal., 7 7/8 inch octagon bbl., blue/gold/casehardened finish, walnut stock. See “A.” CONDITION: Fine with 98% plus of the period refinished blue, extensive minor pin prick pitting visible under the finish, most of the bright gold remaining, aged patina on the silver inlays, crisp engraving, mostly smooth gray patina on the balance, and some minor oxidation. The barrel/breech plug are slightly out of index. The stock is very fine and has crisp carving and minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,000
LOT 295
Very Fine Cased Pair of Engraved and Carved E. Blancke Percussion Pistols -A) E. Blancke Percussion Pistol - NSN, 45 cal., 8 1/2 inch octagon bbl., bright/casehardened finish, carved/checkered walnut stock. Ernst Blancke was active in Naumburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, in the mid-19th century. The pistols are signed “E. BLANCKE IN NAUMBURG a/s” on the barrels and locks with the signature split between the “A” and “B” locks just behind the hammers. The etched Damascus barrels are rifled and have dovetailed blade front sights and casehardened patent breeches with scroll and border engraving. The standing breeches have screw adjustable notch rear sights. The adjustable sights suggest these pistols were made for target shooting rather than dueling although they certainly could have been selected for use as dueling pistols. The locks and most of the furniture are casehardened and feature scroll engraving. The locks have rotating hammer stall safeties. The locks are fired using adjustable single set triggers. The trigger guards have finger spurs. The stocks have raised relief shell carving at the forend tips, relief scroll carving bordering the checkering on the wrists, and flared pommels with decorative molding. There are gold escutcheons behind the upper tangs with three knives, bayonets, or similar edged weapons. The pair come in a fitted hardwood case with loading and cleaning rods (one with a removable measure), a conical bullet mold, some patches, an oiler, a combination turnscrew and nipple wrench, flat powder horn, spare nipples, key, measure, sight key, bullets, and cap container. CONDITION: Very fine with distinct etched Damascus patterns and a mix of bright and dark gray along the barrel, 85% of the bright original case colors, aged patina on the wedge escutcheons, bright gold escutcheon,
and minor overall wear. The stock is also very fine and has crisp checkering and carving, a thin crack along the edge of the forend on the left, and some minor scratches and dings mainly by the lock screw. The set trigger needs some adjustments; otherwise, mechanically fine. The case and accessories are very good and have mostly minor age and storage related wear. There is one moderate dent on the left side of the
ase base, and the lining has some fading, staining, and contact wear. B) E. Blancke Percussion Pistol - NSN, 45 cal., 8 1/2 inch octagon bbl., bright/casehardened finish, carved/checkered walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel retains distinct etched Damascus patterns with contrasting bright and dark gray tones. 80% of the original bright case colors remain. There is some minor oxidation on the front of the lock and bolster. The stock is also very fine and has crisp carving and checkering and minimal minor handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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