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LOT 3251
Pair of Rare Danish Military Loebnitz
Patent Model 1841 Breech Loading
Underhammer Percussion Pistols -A) Loebnitz Pistol - Serial no. B264, 66 cal., 8 5/8 inch octagon bbl., bright finish, hardwood grips. The advanced breech loading system used in these rare pistols was patented by Nicolaj Johan Loebnitz of Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1833, with the
underhammer system patented in 1841, and operates using a lever mounted on the right of the receiver for unlocking of the barrel from the fixed gas sealing breech block, which allows the barrel to tip upwards for loading access. The underhammer cocks using the
pointer finger, and the cleverly designed mainspring and trigger are one with a sear notch. Not to be confused with the visually similar Norwegian military Kammerlader rifles attributed as the invention of Frederick W. Scheel and made around the same time, the Loebnitz breech system operates differently. Both pistols have fixed blade front sights and “v” notch rear sights, octagon barrels with 6-groove rifling (caliber is estimated at around . 66)
and smooth hardwood grips. This “A” gun in the lot is marked “M-1841/B-1842-264” on the left of the action, with royal cyphers of Danish King Christian VIII (reigned 1839-1848), and the matching serial number marked on various components, and “219” stamped in the left of the grip. This pair of pistols is
only eight serial numbers apart. Pistols such as these are known to have been carried during the First Schleswig War, also known as the Schleswig-Holstein Uprising or Three Years War (March 24th, 1818-May 8th, 1851) taking place around southern Denmark and northern Germany, in which the Danish side
emerged victorious, and also in the Second Schleswig War (February 1st, 1864-October 30th, 1864).
CONDITION: Very good with bright
iron surfaces as lightly polished, some
scattered minor pitting, and mostly clear
markings. The grip is also very good, with
scattered light scratches and handling
marks, a few small minor chips and
cracks, and defined edges. Mechanically
excellent. B) Loebnitz Pistol - Serial no.
B256, 66 cal., 8 5/8 inch octagon bbl., bright finish, hardwood grips.
Reference the “A” description. This “B” gun in the lot is marked “M-1841/B-1842-256” on the left of the action, with royal cyphers of Danish King Christian VIII (reigned 1839-1848), and the matching serial number marked on various components, and “181” stamped in the left of the grip.
CONDITION: Fine with bright iron surfaces, scattered patches of freckling and defined markings. The grip is also fine, with scattered light scratches and handling marks, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. This rare pair of Danish military Loebnitz patent breech loading underhammer percussion pistols would make a fine addition to any advanced early military firearms collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
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