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LOT 217
Exceptional C. Couclet Retailed Cased Pair of Elaborately Engraved and Raised Relief Carved Liege Percussion Target Pistols -A) Liege Target Pistol - NSN, 11 mm cal., 9 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/grey finish, relief carved ebony stock. This c. 1850 pair of Liegeoise target pistols has blued, rifled, cast steel barrels with dovetailed blade front sights, “Acier Fondu” in gold on top, screw adjustable rear sights on the standing breeches, “1” and “2” respectively repeated in gold on the floral engraved breeches and standing breeches, elaborate floral and scroll engraving patterns on the finely shaped locks and furniture, relief carved floral scroll patterns and fluting on the stocks, adjustable single set triggers, and an ebonized case with blue lining, “G. COUCLET/A/LIEGE” in gold on the inside of the lid, and set of accessories, including a double mold and a powder flask. CONDITION: Very fine with 85% plus of the original blue finish, bright gold, smooth French gray on the lock and furniture, crisp engraving, some mild oxidation and pitting mainly on the nipple and bolster, and otherwise fairly light wear. The stock is fine and has crisp carving and fluting, a faint repaired crack at the forend tip, a few minor flakes, and light handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good and has some chips, cracks, and repairs on the exterior, a few tears in the lining, and light age and storage related wear on the accessories. B) Liege Target Pistol - NSN, 11 mm cal., 9 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/grey finish, ebony stock. See “A”. CONDITION: Very fine overall with 90% plus original blue finish, smooth French gray on the lock and furniture, mild oxidation and flash pitting concentrated on the nipple and bolster, and relatively light overall wear. The stock is also very fine and has crisp carving and fluting, a very faint hairline crack on the back of the wrist, and light handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000
LOT 218
Cased Pair of Engraved French Guyot Dueling Percussion Pistols -A) Guyot Pistol - Serial no. 1991, 12 mm cal., 10 3/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hardwood stock. Both pistols are fitted with dovetailed blade front and fixed notch rear sights. The top of the blue finished barrel is marked with the Guyot address in Ponthieu, Paris on both examples. The lock, hammer, breech plug, barrel tang, trigger guard and butt pommel are scroll pattern engraved on both examples. Serial number “1991” marked underneath the barrel of each pistol with numbers “1” and “2” respectively. Includes blue lined wooden case with N. Guyot address inside the lid in gold letters, containing a hammer, tools, cap containers, cleaning rod and bullet mold. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 60% plus original high polish blue finish on the barrel and trigger guard with scattered brown patina/light pitting, 80% plus vivid original case colors with smooth gray patina on the balance, and crisp engraving overall. Stock is excellent with crisp checkering, some light handling marks, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. Included case is fair as sanded and refinished with some scattered light handling marks, a large separated crack with filler running the length of the lid, absent shield plaque on the lid, detached handle (included separately) and fine lining. B) Guyot Pistol - Serial no. 1991, 12 mm cal., 10 3/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hardwood stock. Reference “A” description. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 60% plus original high polish blue finish on the barrel and trigger guard with scattered brown patina/light pitting, 85% plus vivid original case colors, and crisp engraving overall. Stock is excellent with crisp checkering, some light handling marks, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000 219