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LOT 314
Cased Engraved Gastinne-Renette Percussion Target Pistol with Elaborately Relief Carved Ebony Stock and Accessories - NSN, 50 Perc cal., 10 3/4 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, ebony stock. This is a beautiful example of an engraved French single shot target pistol manufactured by Gastinne-Renette. The Parisian firm of Gastinne-Renette began in the early 1800s and operated until the late 1980s. The firm provided arms and training opportunities for many of the what seemed to be daily duels in Paris. The company made guns for heads of France throughout its existence and was the place to buy arms, whether it be a sporting rifle for hunting, shotguns for the field, but mostly for dueling pistols. This particular pistol features vine leaf engraving on the breech end of the barrel, the upper tang, hammer, lock, trigger guard, bolster fence, butt cap and lower tang. The stock pin escutcheon has a scroll design. The top barrel flat is engraved “Gastinne Renette Arq de L’ Empereur a Paris” and the lock is marked “Gastinne Renette”. The barrel was blue and the remaining parts appear to have been casehardened. Dovetailed blade front sight and a elevation adjustable rear sight mounted on the upper tang. The pistol is mounted with a beautifully hand carved ebony stock with a floral vine design on the grip area and forend. The pistol comes in a wooden case with a inset brass plaque on the lid, inset brass handle to open the lid, and brass lock escutcheon. The lining is hunter green velvet with a gold embossed stand of flags over “GASTINNE-RENETTE/ AROR ORDINAIRE/de S.M. Lempereur” surrounded by a fancy border on the inside of the lid. The interior of the case features one covered compartment with an ebony pull on the lid and eleven fitted compartments for the pistol and accessories. The accessories include an ebony ram rod and cleaning rod (both with a brass tip), an ebony mallet, two round ebony containers, a replacement screwdriver with ebony handle, a metal powder measurer, a casehardened single cavity bullet mold, a brass oiler, brass powder flask, key, and six round lead bullets. CONDITION: Good as refinished. The barrel shows signs of some cleaning, and has a brown patina with a small amount of pin prick type pitting. The remaining metal surfaces have a mix of smooth gray patina and silvered out casehardening. The stock is excellent with a few minor handling marks and sharp carving. The barrel marking is clear and the engraving is crisp and clear. The action is excellent. The accessories are all very good as refurbished. The bullet mold retains almost all of the case colors with signs of some light cleaning. The mallet shows some minor dings and the brass accessories have a dark aged patina. The case is excellent with a few minor dings on the exterior and some mild contact wear on the lining. A beautiful cased French target pistol with all of the accessories. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 315 Cased Pair of O. Geyger Percussion Target Pistols -A) Geyger Target Pistol - NSN, 9 mm cal., 9 3/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, checkered walnut stock. This pair of pistols features rifled barrels with dovetailed nickel-silver front sights, “O. GEYGER, BERLIN, W.” The breech plugs are marked “1” and “2” respectively, and screw adjustable notch rear sights are fitted on the tangs. The pistols are equipped with adjustable single set triggers, spurred trigger guards, and casehardened furniture. The stocks have finely checkered wrists. They come in a fitted case with “O. Geyger & Co./Berlin W.” marked inside the lid, a block holding four spare nipples, loading and cleaning rods, a jag, cap container, oiler, sight adjustment key, nipple wrench, screwdriver, ball and bullet molds, punch, powder flask, tow, and key. Former military officer turned businessman Oscar Geyger founded O. Geyger & Co. on July 1, 1895. Although he died in 1905, the business continued on and was well-regarded for their fine sporting firearms. Percussion pistols by the firm appears to be very rare. Near the turn of the century, pistol dueling and target shooting regained interest, including as a sport after the development of a wax bullet by Dr. John Paul Devillers in 1901. Precision target shooting with muzzleloading pistols remains an active competitive sport in both Europe and the U.S. today. CONDITION: Very fine with 95% plus period refurbished blue and casehardened finish, some oil stains on the muzzle, a repaired/refinished hammer with cracked spur, and otherwise generally only very minor handling and storage marks. The stock is also very fine and has crisp checkering, smooth finish, and a few slight handling marks. The set trigger could use some adjustments, but the lock is mechanically excellent. Aside from a detached handle and some scrapes on the exterior, the case and accessories are very fine and have minor storage wear. B) Geyger Target Pistol - NSN, 9 mm cal., 9 3/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, checkered walnut stock. See “A.” CONDITION: Very fine with 95% plus period refurbished blue and casehardened finish, minor edge wear, and faint handling and storage marks. The stock is also very fine and has crisp checkering, smooth finish, and a few minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500 263