Page 249 - 89-FLIPBOOK1

LOT 294
Exhibition Quality
Pair of Belgian
Engraved, Gold
Inlaid, and Carved
Percussion Pistols
with Accessories
-A) Percussion Pistol - NSN, 11 mm cal., 9 3/4 inch octagon bbl., gold/ high polish blue/casehardened finish, ebony stock. This exceptional pair of highly attractive exhibition quality pistols have no visible maker’s details and are struck with a single Belgian proofmark and “11.0” caliber designation on the underside of the barrels. Though suitable for dueling, the highly ornate nature of these pistols suggest they were manufactured for the purpose of a presentation or for display at an exhibition. The ornamentation on this exceptional set covers nearly every surface of the pistols. The barrels have bead front sights with thin dovetailed bases, elongated twist motifs on the flats with gold borders and accents, tighter twist motifs on the breech plugs, and fixed notch rear sights on the engraved and gold accented upper tangs. The casehardened detented locks and furniture have coordinating engraving and gold inlaid accents.
The trigger guards are spurred and have spire finials and contain non-set triggers with light pulls for increased accuracy. The ebony stocks have intricately incised triangles throughout with minuscule dots between them. They come in an open top casing that was likely a tray pulled
out from a larger case. It is closely fitted to the pistols and contains the following accessories: ramrod, cleaning rod, iron bullet mold, and mallet. CONDITION: Very fine with essentially all of the original gold inlay, 95% plus original high polish blue finish on the barrel, dark original case colors and patina on the remaining surfaces, some slight oxidation at the bolster, and minor marks and scratches from handling and storage. The carved stock is also very fine and has some white residue in the carving and only minor handling wear. Mechanically excellent. The casing and accessories
are very good with generally only storage type wear including fading of
the non-covered areas of the lining.
B) Percussion Pistol - NSN, 11 mm cal., 9 3/4 inch octagon bbl., gold/high polish blue/casehardened finish, ebony stock.
CONDITION: Very fine with only slight wear on the gold inlays, 98% plus
original high polish blue finish, gray and brown blend of original case
colors and patina on the balance, some oxidation on the bolster, and minor handling and storage wear. The carved stock is also very fine and has some residue in the patterns and only light handling and storage type wear. This
is a beautiful set which no doubt required a significant investment in time
to craft.
Estimate: 16,000 - 27,500 247