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LOT 3156
Attractive and Desirable Pair of Vintage Saloon Doors - There are many items and objects which indelibly associate with the American western frontier during the age of westward expansion. Many of these are firearms,
which pass through here regularly, such as the Winchester Model 1866 and 1873 rifles or the Colt Single Action Army revolver. However, there are many other items that carry with them the true spirit of the American West that, in many cases, can be far rarer than those iconic firearms. One of these items is the pair of swinging saloon doors which one immediately associates with a saloon in the “Wild West”. These doors were intended to block the view of the potential debauchery within, while also allowing the sounds of the revelry to travel out into the street, tempting passers by. The consignor attributes this beautiful pair of saloon doors to San Francisco, California, a city deeply rooted in ethos of the American West. This pair of very attractive doors do not appear to have any maker’s markings but certainly show the craftsmanship of the era. Most of the centers of the doors are made up of ornately paneled glass showing borders and a bulbous shape at the center. There are dual brass push bars towards the center on both sides to protect the glass from the many patrons frequently passing through them. The hardwood frames of the doors show the traditional shape of saloon doors and still have their iron bi-directional hinges attached.
CONDITION: Very fine, the thick paneled glass all appears to be present with a few scattered light chips and cracks, and all appearing to remain tight fitting overall. The wood is also very fine with a few scattered minor dings and scratches, and generally mild wear. A rare opportunity to own some of the most iconic items of the American West!
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3157
San Francisco A. J. Taylor Retailer Marked and Engraved Henry Deringer Percussion Pocket Pistol - NSN, 40 cal., 2 1/8 inch flat top round bbl., brown/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. This pistol is marked “MAND FOR/A. J. TAYLOR & Co./SAN FRANCo CALA” on top of the barrel. Taylor was active in the early 1850s until his death in 1858. Interestingly, many of Taylor’s
fairly affluent customers appear to have used firearms he sold in homicides, and Taylor regularly appeared as a witness in court. Many of the killings were in self-defense indicating the Deringer pistols filled their intended role very well. This example also has “DERINGER/PHILADELA” on the lock and breech, scroll engraving, a blade front sight notch rear sight, German silver fittings, and scroll engraving. CONDITION: Very good overall with a brown patina on the barrel and lock and aged patina on the German silver. There are some light scratches and dings and light pitting. The wood is also very good with fairly crisp checkering, minor marks and scratches, and a very small hairline crack on the left at the tip of the forend. The lock is mechanically fine, and the markings and engraving patterns are crisp. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3158 Gold Banded Henry Deringer Percussion Pocket Pistol - NSN, 52 cal., 3 3/4 inch flat top bbl., brown finish, walnut grips. Dovetailed German silver blade front and fixed notch rear sights, with added gold bands at the breech, “P” flanked by zig-zags on the upper left flat, and light engraving on the tang. The lock plate is marked “DERINGER/PHILADELA”, with additional scrollwork. The checkered one-piece stock is fitted with an engraved silver forearm tip, escutcheons, accent plate, reverse plate, and trigger guard, with a brass initial shield and a German silver pommel cap with engraved iron trapdoor. CONDITION: Good, with a mixed artificial brown patina on the iron components, showing some shallow pitting and mild spotting. The revarnished stock is also good, with patched spliced wood visible on either side of the trigger guard finial, some cracking around the reverse plate, a replaced nail in the right escutcheon, and some mild dents. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
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