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LOT 1275
Beautiful Cased Pair of Engraved and Ebony Stocked Belgian Percussion Target Pistols with Accessories Retailed by C. Mode of Paris -A) Target Pistol - NSN, 47 cal., 10 inch fluted octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, ebony stock. These pistols were retailed by Celestin Jules Mode (born 1870) in Paris. According to 1923 records for the French Legion of Honor, he was the owner of Lefaucheux and Pirlet & Cie, worked at Societe Francaise des Munitions in 1894 to 1910 and during WWI, and was made a Knight of the Legion of Honor in 1923. The pistols have Liege oval (no crown), “*/Y,” and perron proofs on the barrels near the breech. The “*/Y” is the proof controller’s mark and dates to 1927 at the earliest. They have dovetailed bead style blade front sights, adjustable notch rear sights, “C. MODE, ARMURIER BTe, PARIS” on top of the barrels, tight scroll engraving, crisp breaking plain triggers, finely checkered ebony stocks, and a French fitted oak case with C. Mode retailer label, small measure, ebony mallet, ebony handled nipple wrench, ebony containers with spare nipples, bright bullet mold, niter blue rear sight key, and ebony ram and cleaning rods. Most of the firearms with C. Mode markings are more modern cartridge firearms, especially double barrel shotguns. CONDITION: Excellent with 95% plus of the original blued finish and original case colors and only minor fading of the blue finish at the edges, especially on the pommel cap. The stock is very fine and has crisp checkering and some slight handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are very good with mild storage wear and some separation at the corner joints. B) Target Pistol - NSN, 47 cal., 10 inch fluted octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, ebony stock. As described in “A.” CONDITION: Excellent with 95% plus original blue finish and original case colors and some minor flaking on the pommel. The stock is also very fine and has crisp checkering, a slight imperfection at the tail of the lock, and some faint handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. These pistols are in virtually unfired condition. Estimate: 7,000 - 11,000
LOT 1276
Cased Pair of Engraved, Gold Inlaid, and Relief Carved Percussion Dueling/Target Pistols by J.B. Ronge Fils of Liege -A) J.B. Ronge Fils Percussion Pistol - NSN, 47 cal., 9 3/8 inch octagon bbl., blue/gold/French grey finish, ebony stock. Manufactured c. 1840s-1850s. The rifled barrels have dovetailed blade front sights, “R.B. Ronge fils a Liege” (fils = son or junior) in gold inlay, and “1” and “2” respectively on the breech blocks which have finely shaped bolsters and scroll engraving. The “1” and “2” are also marked on the standing breeches which incorporate notch rear sights. The locks and furniture have scroll engraving and are finished French gray. The spurred trigger guard bows feature dog head vignettes. The ebony stocks have silver wedge escutcheons, fluted wrists, and relief carved scroll patterns on the forends. The pair comes in a fitted case with a mallet, combination screwdriver/nipple wrench, finely sculpted ladle, ball mold, small horn powder flask, powder measure, pick, cap container, worm, brush, rod, balls, and key. CONDITION: Fine with bright gold inlay, dark aged patina on the silver, 75% plus original high polish blue finish on the barrel, mostly smooth French gray on the lock and furniture, crisp engraving, and mild age and storage related wear, including some oxidation. The stock is very fine and has crisp relief carving and fluting, minor scratches, and attractive ebony colors with faint grain. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good and has some cracks ad flaking the veneer, tears and minor fading on the lining, and general mild storage wear. The accessories are mostly fine with minor storage wear. B) J.B. Ronge Fils Percussion Pistol - NSN, 47 cal., 9 3/8 inch octagon bbl., blue/gold/French grey finish, ebony stock. See “A.” CONDITION: Fine with bright gold inlay, dark aged patina on the silver, 80% original high polish blue finish on the barrel, mostly smooth French gray on the lock and furniture, crisp engraving, and mild age and storage related wear, including some minor oxidation. The stock is very fine aside from a crack above the toe on the right and has crisp relief carving and fluting, minor scratches, and attractive ebony colors with faint grain. Mechanically excellent. Overall, a very attractive cased pair of Liegoise percussion pistols. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
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