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LOT 3268
Silver Inlaid and Relief Carved J. Christoph Kuchenreiter Flintlock Dueling/Target Pistols Attributed
to the O’Connel-D’Esterre Duel -A) Kuchenreiter Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 50 cal., 9 7/8 inch octagon bbl., bright/silver/gold finish, walnut stock. In a Michael Butler, Ltd., Royal Antique Galleries letter from 1900, this
pair of pistols is attributed as used by Daniel O’Connell in a duel with John D’Esterre. A copy of “The O’Connell
vs D’Esterre Duel” by Jim Brassil presented at the Naas Historical Society on November 9, 1995, is also included. Brassil notes, “O’Connell was then at his physical peak (aged 40) if not yet his political peak but well on his way... His opponent John D’Esterre, a Limerick Protestant and member of Dublin Corporation, was a crack shot, an ex-Marine Lieutenant of unquestioned bravery and yet from ten paces he not [only] missed by missed badly
(his ball hit the ground some distance in front of O’Connell when he fired first). O’Connell then aimed low and connected close to a very sore place.”The duel in 1815 was instigated by O’Connell referring to the Dublin Corporation as “beggarly.” Each of the principals was armed with a pair of pistols and faced each other at 10 paces and fired at the drop of a handkerchief. According to publications in 1900, mainly the Cornhill Magazine, O’Connell’s pistols were supplied by Richard Nuget Bennett and belonged to Bennett’s uncle and had already been fatally used in two duels. Though he was not initially expected to die, D’Esterre died from blood loss within two days. O’Connell set up a pension for D’Esterre’s daughter and also helped with the legal affairs of his widow. Some sources state he later wore a black glove on his right hand to demonstrate mourning for his adversary. O’Connell is known as “The Liberator” for his efforts that secured Catholic emancipation in 1829 and was also an abolitionist and civil and religious liberty activist more broadly, leading to other duel challenges, including from American ambassador Andrew Stevenson of Virginia who O’Connell dubbed a “slave-breeder.” The main street in Dublin is named “O’Connell Street” in his honor, and a monument including a large statue of O’Connell stands at the entrance.
The Historic O’Connel-D’Esterre Duel
Johann Christoph Kuchenreiter (1755-1818) was part of the famous
Bavarian Kuchenreiter/Kuchenreuter gunmaking dynasty and became a
gunmaker in 1776 in Regensburg. The smoothbore barrels have dovetailed
brass blade front sights, “*I. CHRISTOPH KUCHENREITER” in silver inlay on the top
flats as well as sunken silver “knight/ICK” maker’s marks at the breech ends, silver
inlaid scroll accents, and gold vent liners. The barrels are also marked with “DC-4937”
and “DC-4938” Irish registration marks respectively for Dublin Castle. The barrel tangs are numbered “1” and “2” and feature three-leaf rear sights (one standing, two folding). The rounded locks have non-bridled pans and no visible markings. The pistols are equipped with adjustable single set triggers. The furniture is brass. The stocks have small sections of checkering with decorative bead borders on the wrists, raised relief carved floral carving, molding, horn forend caps, and narrow pommels that flare at the heel and toe. The pair comes in an Irish fitted case with a William & John Rigby trade label inside the lid, 28 bore punch, several lead balls, 34 bore ball mold, powder flask, brush, flints, and key. The underside of the case has a worn label from M. Butler.
CONDITION: Very good with gray and brown patina on the lock and barrel, mild pitting mainly at the vent, the inlay from the period on the barrel absent, light aged patina on the silver, natural aged patina on the brass furniture, and mild overall wear mainly from age. The stock is fine and has distinct checkering and carving and some minor dings and scratches. The set trigger needs some work, and the lock will drop from half-cock if the trigger is pulled but is otherwise mechanically fine. The case and accessories are also fine and have mild age and storage related wear including some stains and tears on the label and moderate oxidation/pitting on the mold.
B) Kuchenreiter Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 50 cal., 9 7/8 inch octagon bbl., bright/silver/gold finish, walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Very good with gray and brown patina on the lock and barrel, mild pitting mainly by the vent, the “I” inlay absent, light aged patina on the remaining silver, nice aged patina on the brass furniture, a pair of repairs on the trigger guard, and general mild wear overall. The stock is also fine and has distinct checkering and carving with mild wear and scattered light scratches and dings. The set trigger needs work, but the lock is mechanically fine. This is certainly a very interesting pair of Bavarian flintlock pistols with Irish registration markings, and they have been attributed as used by one of the most famous Irish civil rights activists of the early 19th century in a fatal duel.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
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