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LOT 302
Exceptional Cased Pair of Engraved Williams & Powell Percussion Pistols -A) Williams & Powell Pistol - NSN,
54 cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., brown/ casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock.
Williams & Powell were active c. 1833-1892, and this pistols would date to the first half of that range. They have smoothbore,
Damascus barrels with dovetailed blade and notch sights, swivel mounted ramrods,
and “WILLIAMS & POWELL LIVERPOOL” marked on top. The breeches have pierced
platinum plugs and platinum bands. The locks are signed “WILLIAMS & POWELL,” and
the locks and furniture have classic scroll and border engraving. The nearly full-length
stocks have checkered wrists, horn forend caps, “RB” stamped at the toes, and trapdoor
compartments in the pommels. The pair come in a period hardwood case with green
baize lining, a trade label inside the lid stating: “WILLIAMS & POWELL/Successors to the late/PATRICK/GUNMAKER/TO/His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester/25 SOUTH CASTLE STREET/Late Pool Lane,/LIVERPOOL,” small powder flask, loading rod, “30” marked ball mold, a few balls and patches, and a turned bone or stag-horn container.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The barrel has distinct Damascus patterns and retains most of the original brown finish with some slight fading at the edges. 75% plus of the lightly age faded original case colors, and 70% of the original blue finish remains. The engraving and markings remain crisp. The stock is also exceptionally fine and has attractive figure, crisp checkering, and light marks and scratches. Mechanically excellent. The case is also very good with mild store wear.
B) Williams & Powell Pistol - NSN, 54 cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. See “A.” CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The barrel retains most of the original brown finish aside from some minor edge wear and has distinct Damascus twist patterns. 75% plus of the lightly age faded original case colors, and 50% of the original blue finish remains. The engraving and markings remain crisp. The stock is also exceptionally fine and has attractive figure, crisp checkering, and light marks and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 9,500 - 14,000
Attractive Pair of W. & S. Rooke Engraved Double Barrel Percussion Pistols -A) W. & S. Rooke Pistol - NSN, 62 cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., brown/blue finish, walnut stock. These pistols were manufactured around the 1830s. All four lock plates have fine scrollwork and burst engraving, sliding half-cock safeties, and “W & S ROOKE” near the center at the bottom. William & Samuel Rooke were
active together from 1820 to 1837 in Birmingham. Samuel continued on until 1839, and then George Rooke took
over the business until the 1850s. The barrels have post front sights and “London” in script on the
concave ribs, and the undersides have pairs of cross scepter proofmarks. Swivel mounted ramrods are fitted below the barrels. The breeches have matching engraving and dual platinum bands, and the trigger guards and ramrod entry pipe finials are also engraved. The stocks have German silver
wedge shields and thumb plates and checkered bag shaped grips. Smoothbore double barrel pistols found multiple uses in the 19th century. Some were carried by military officers and dragoons, others
were used by hunters for defense against tigers in India, and they we also used to defend coaches from highway robberies. CONDITION: Very fine as period refinished. The barrels have 85% plus of the refurbished brown finish and partially obliterated proofmarks. The locks are mostly a smooth dark brown patina and have 75% of the casehardened finish and are mechanically fine. The other components retain 80% of the blue finish. The balance has brown patina. There are scattered minor scratches and marks. The stock is also very fine and has several small scratches and dings from handling, storage, and use including a group of dents on the butt. Mechanically fine. B) W. & S. Rooke Pistol - NSN, 62 cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue/brown finish, walnut stock. See A. CONDITION: Very good as period refurbished. The barrels have 90% plus of the refurbished brown finish and partially obliterated proofmarks. The locks have a mix of smooth dark brown patina and 25% of the casehardened finish. They are mechanically fine. The other components retain half of the blue finish, and have a brown patina on the balance. There are some scattered minor scratches and marks. The stock is also very good and has scattered scratches and minor dents.
LOT 303
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,000 263