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LOT 3245
Cased Pair of Engraved A.V. Lebeda Percussion Target Pistols Circa 1830 -A) A.V. Lebeda Pistol - Serial no. 1830, 50 cal., 8 inch octagon bbl., brown/bright finish, walnut stock. Anton Vinzent Lebeda of Prague (1795-1857) completed his training in 1813, took over the shop of Matthew Brandejsovi in Prague in 1820 or 1821, and also worked in Vienna. He was the gunmaker of Kaiser Franz Josef I and also manufactured arms for other European nobles. Much of his work is incredibly ornate and recognized for its intricate engraving, beautiful inlays, and expert stock carving. These pistols certainly conform to that description. The locks are signed “A.V. LEBEDA” in a “C” scroll at the center, and the side plates have “IN PRAG” in a banner. Both have intricate scroll and border engraving including a dragon on the front of each plate and on the hammers. The rifled barrels have “K.K. AUSSCHL. PRIVIL. A.V. LEBEDA IN PRAG.” marked on top, burst pattern engraving on the muzzles, leaf patterns at the breech, silver or platinum bands on the breech end of the barrels and the patent breeches, matching liners, and dovetailed blade front sights. The year “1830” is marked above each breech slot. The upper tangs have screw adjustable notch rear sights as well as “1” and “2” surrounded by silver ovals. The furniture has coordinating engraving. The spurred trigger guards enclose adjustable double set triggers. The stocks have fine multi-point checkering and glossy varnish. Includes a relined custom case with scrolls accented by gold paint on the lid, a mallet, key, powder flask, bullet mold, measure, combination screwdriver/nipple wrench, loading and cleaning rods, rod attachments, lead balls, and patch container. CONDITION: Fine with faded original brown mixed with gray and brown patina along the barrel, faint Damascus patterns, fairly bright remaining surfaces, crisp engraving, minor marks and scratches, some light oxidation, and generally minor storage wear. The stock is also fine and has crisp checkering, essentially all of the glossy varnish, a crack at the wedge on the left, and otherwise only minor handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. The case exterior is good and has moderate wear including some flaking, and the case interior and the accessories are mostly very good and generally have minor age and storage related wear. B) A.V. Lebeda Pistol - Serial no. 1830, 50 cal., 8 inch octagon bbl., brown/bright finish, walnut stock. See “A.” CONDITION: Fine with fading original brown finish blended mostly with dark brown patina along the barrel, some visible Damascus patterns, fairly bright remaining surfaces, crisp engraving, a few scattered minor marks and scratches, a few dings along the barrel, slight oxidation, and generally minor storage wear. The stock is very fine, retains nearly all of the glossy original varnish, and has crisp checkering and some slight handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500