Page 192 - 86-Book1

LOT 184
Unique and Scarce Brigg London Patent Combination Volley Fire Percussion Pepperbox Pistol and Stiletto Cane Gun - NSN, 6 mm cal., 2 5/8 inch fluted bbl., blue finish, stag grips. Measuring 32 7/8 inches
tall, the exterior consists of an iron ferrule tip, a fruit wood type shaft with a pair of silver collars near the top, and an “L” shaped stag horn grip. When drawn from the shaft, the pistol measures 9 1/8 inches long including the grip, with a 5 5/8 inch square spike dagger. It is marked “BRIGG” on top of the lower section of the pistol and has a fluted barrel assembly with London crown “V” and “GP” proofs. The barrels are linked to a single percussion nipple and spring loaded, firing simultaneously when slammed backwards into the frame and the dagger is used in the conventional fashion.
CONDITION: Very good, the iron pistol and dagger components showing traces of the original blue finish, mainly in the flutes, and otherwise mostly a smooth grey patina with a few patches of light pitting. The silver shows an attractive antique patina. The shaft and grip are fine with some minor dings and flaking of the varnish scattered throughout. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 185
Attractive Cased Le
Petit Protector Ring
Gun - NSN, 2 mm pinfire
cal., 3/8 inch cluster bbl.,
nitre blue/German silver
finish. This is an example
of a unique 19th century style French ring
gun that was most likely manufactured in
the 20th Century (whatever the history,
these ring pistols are oddities and appeal
to collectors purely as conversation pieces).
The German silver band of the ring has a
light floral type engraving and is marked “LE
PETIT PROTECTOR”. This ring gun features a small
hand rotated 6-shot pinfire cartridge cylinder that must be removed
for loading/unloading. The pins of the cartridges are struck by the base of the hammer. Includes a bird’s eye maple case with blank escutcheon on the lid.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% original nitre blue finish with the balance a brown-grey patina. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good with some scattered light handling/storage marks and some mild wear on the interior.
Estimate: 7,500 - 10,000
LOT 186
Unique “The Sure Defender”
Single Shot Underhammer
Percussion Pistol with Integral
Brass Knuckles and Dagger - Serial no. 241, 31 cal., 2
1/4 inch slab sided bbl., nitre blue/silver finish, metal grips.
Manufactured by an unknown party at an undetermined date, the
Sure Defender shows a number of design similarities to the Dolne
“Apache Pistol” with a hinged grip arrangement with a set of finger holes; when opened, it is a single shot percussion pistol, and when folded, it becomes a set of brass knuckles with a swing-out dagger blade which, depending on configuration, serves
as either a pistol bayonet or a trench-style knife. The only markings on the pistol are
“THE SURE/DEFENDER” on top of the cast brass frame and “241” on the grip, hinge,
and knife blade. It has a blue finished barrel, knife blade, trigger, and “hammer”, while
the grip and rear of the frame are silver plated brass. The dagger measures 2 5/8 inches
long with a triangular cross section and a flamberge-style waved edge profile. The overall
length is 6 1/2 inches when in “knife” configuration. The underhammer action operates with a steel spring mounted to the underside of the muzzle, a knurled striker and a spring loaded folding trigger. It is unknown which (and when) specific firm produced these unique weapons; however, similarities with other similar pieces from the time suggest they may have all been manufactured by the same firm.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 75% of the bright refinished nitre blue and traces of the original silver finish with the balance having thinned to reveal either a smooth grey patina or an attractively aged brass. Mechanically excellent.
190 Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 187 Le Petit Protector Style “Le Femme Fatale” Ring Gun with Case - NSN, .26 mm cal., 1/8 inch cluster bbl., nitre blue/bright finish. This is an example of a unique 19th century style custom made French pinfire ring gun which was subsequently made by unknown parties in the 20th century. These ring pistols are oddities and appeal to collectors purely as conversation pieces. The band of the ring has a light floral type engraving and is marked “FEMME FATALE”. This ring gun features a small hand rotated 7-shot pinfire cartridge cylinder that must be removed for loading/unloading. The pins of the cartridges are struck by the base of the hammer (any pinfire cartridge is obsolete). Includes a red leather wrapped case with “FEMME FATALE” badge on the lid and containing seven tiny pinfire cartridges and a small screwdriver. The interior lining of the lid of the case is marked for the Association of Diamond Merchants, Jewellers & Silversmiths in Trafalgar Square, London. CONDITION: Very fine as custom made, retains 90% plus of the original nitre blue and generally bright German silver overall with minimal handling evidence. Mechanically appears to function as it should. The case is fine with some mild handling/storage wear. This very fine ring gun is one of the smallest the writer has ever seen! Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 188
Outstanding Le Page Retailer Inscribed and Cased Wesson
& Harrington No. 3 Third Type Spur Trigger
Revolver - Serial no. 5161, 32 RF cal., 2 3/4 inch octagon bbl., nickel finish, rosewood grips. Manufactured c. 1874
to 1879, with a total of approximately 15,000 produced. The upper left flat of the barrel is marked with the one-line Wesson & Harrington Worchester address and patent date while the top flat has been hand engraved by the retailer with “H. Faure Le Page a Paris”. It has standard featured of the Third Type revolvers. Includes a leather wrapped hard case with the interior lining of the lid marked “H. FAURE LEPAGE./PARIS” and within the case storage compartment is a tag marked “Mrs. Frank L. Wesson”.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% plus of the original nickel finish with only a few scattered patches of imperfection/flaking, 95% plus of the vibrant case colors, and 99% of the nitre blue with only the slightest handling marks overall. The grips are also excellent with only
the slightest handling marks and retaining virtually all of
the original varnish. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with some mild handling/storage wear.
Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750