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LOT 3241
Very Fine Cased Pair of Gold Inlaid Rifled Percussion Pistols by Prevoteau of Paris -A) Prevoteau Percussion Pistol - NSN, 28 bore/.55 cal., 7 5/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/ gold/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This pair of French Empire style pistols features rifled, swamped, octagonal barrels with dovetailed blade front sights, “***PREVOTEAU A PARIS***” in gold inlay on the top flats, and casehardened breeches. Fixed notch rear sights are fitted to the upper tangs. The rounded locks have “PREVOTEAU/-A PARIS-” in gold inlay, sliding half-cock safeties, and pointed tails. The plain single triggers are enclosed by casehardened trigger guards with spurs. The other furniture is also casehardened. The full-length stocks have checkered wrists and flared pommels with contrasting ebony borders. The pair comes in a closely fitted case with a mallet, loading/cleaning rods, two ball molds, combination turnscrew/nipple wrench, containers, 2 ounce powder flask, and a compartment with several balls. CONDITION: Very fine with bright original gold inlays, most of the thinning original brown finish on the barrel, 85% plus original case colors, and minor handling and storage related wear. The stock is also very fine and has crisp checkering, light marks and scratches, faint cracks and flakes on the pommel, and generally fairly minimal overall wear. Repaired/replaced ramrod. Mechanically fine. The upper portion of the lock for the case is absent. The case and accessories are otherwise also very fine and have minor age and storage related wear. B) Prevoteau Percussion Pistol - NSN, 28 bore/.55 cal., 7 5/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/gold/casehardened finish, walnut stock. See “A.” CONDITION: Very fine with bright original gold inlays, most of the thinning original brown finish on the barrel, 70% original case colors, mild scratches, and minor handling and storage related wear. The stock is also very fine and has crisp checkering, light marks and scratches, some loss at the tail of the lock, and generally fairly minimal overall wear. The ramrod has moderate insect damage. The half-cock notch and safety are non-functional; otherwise, it is mechanically fine. Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000 LOT 3242 Pair of Finely Engraved, Gold Inlaid, and Relief Carved Theodor Gehrmann Percussion Target Pistols -A) Gehrmann Target Pistol - NSN, 48 cal., 6 3/4 inch octagon bbl., grey/gold/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. Theodor Gerhmann was a German maker active in the mid-19th century and is known to have modified a Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver to use Dreyse needlefire cartridges for Colt in 1855 (see page 122 of “Samuel Colt: Arms, Art, and Invention” by Houze et al). This pair of traditional European percussion target pistols has finely rifled Damascus barrels with engraved muzzles, dovetailed blade front sights, “TH: GEHRMANN. A. BERLIN.” in gold inlay on top, and “*/Z” and flaming “L” marks on the undersides. The breech plugs have four gold bands, scroll engraving, and chiseled snake designs on the bolsters with gold accents. The locks have “TH: GERHMANN.” in gold inlay, inhabited scroll engraving, border engraving, and bestial hammers. The counter plates have “A. BERLIN.” in gold inlay and coordinating engraving. Engraving also continues on to the furniture. The pistols have adjustable single set triggers, and screw adjustable notch rear sights on the standing breeches. The stocks have checkering with decorative borders and swelled pommels offset to the right and carved with shell patterns. CONDITION: Fine with bright original gold, mostly gray patina on the balance, minor oxidation, crisp engraving, and general minor overall wear. The stock is also fine and has a thin crack on the right side of the forend, crisp checkering and carving, and minor dings and scratches. The trigger will currently not set; otherwise, mechanically excellent.
B) Gerhmann Target Pistol - NSN, 48 cal., 6 3/4 inch octagon bbl., grey/gold/casehardened finish, walnut stock. See “A.” CONDITION: Fine with bright original gold, mostly gray patina on the balance, minor oxidation, crisp engraving, and general minor overall wear. The stock is also fine and has crisp checkering and carving, a small crack at the tail of the lock, and minor dings and scratches. The trigger will currently not set; otherwise, mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500 LOT 3243 Very Fine Engraved, Silver Inlaid, and Relief Carved Lorenz Bossel in Suhl Marked Percussion Pistol - Serial no. 6340, 38 cal., 3 5/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/French grey finish, walnut stock. This c. 1850 pistol has a textured pattern welded “Damascus” barrel with eight-groove rifling, “---LORENZ BOSSEL IN SUHL---” in silver inlay on top, an inlaid silver band at the breech end, and an ornately engraved breech plug with nicely shaped bolster. An adjustable notch rear sight is fitted on the engraved standing breech. The engraved lock has a mask design on the tail and a rotating hammer stall. The spurred trigger guard features a classical figure with a sword and shield and encloses an adjustable single set trigger. The pommel cap is numbered “6340.” The stock has a horn forend tip, molding terminating in incised scrolls at the entry pipe, checkering surrounded by relief carved scrollwork and a central mask design, and a flared pommel. CONDITION: Very fine with distinct twist patterns along the barrel, dark aged patina on the silver, mostly a mix of smooth French grey and light patina, chips at the edge of the wedge, crisp engraving, and fairly minor overall wear. The stock is also very fine and has crisp checkering and relief carving, attractive grain, and light marks and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500 175