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LOT 1278
Fine Cased Engraved Pair of Walter Adams Rifled Percussion Dueling Pistols -A) Walter Adams Dueling Pistol - NSN, 29 bore cal., 10 inch octagon bbl., brown/ blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. With unsigned, heavy, browned, Damascus twist barrels with blued crescent blade front sights and casehardened patent breeches with platinum plugs and engraved with a spray of scrollwork. Casehardened standing breeches incorporating the
notch rear sights and casehardened locks signed “WALTER ADAMS” and with safety bolts locking the hammers. Walter Adams is recorded in Birmingham between 1822 and
1865 whereupon the company changed name to Walter Adams & Son and remained in business until 1878. Iron furniture including casehardened trigger plates and blued trigger guards. Border and scroll engraving throughout. Well-figured walnut half length stocks, the flat butts with multi-point checkering and the forearms with silver barrel key escutcheons and silver caps. The wrists have inset silver oval initial escutcheons engraved with the monogram “JH”. Original brass mounted ramrod with worm. Birmingham proof marks. In original brass cornered fitted mahogany case lined in burgundy velvet, with some accessories including brass mounted copper powder flask, iron bullet mold, a turnscrew and two rods. The exterior of the lid with flush fitting brass carrying handle and circular brass escutcheon named “Mr. JAMES HARRISON”.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel retains 90% plus rebrowned
finish. The patent breech and standing breech each retain 90% bright original casehardened finish. The lock retains 75% slightly faded original casehardened finish. The trigger plate retains 90% original casehardened finish, fading slightly on the finial, and the trigger guard retains 30% original blued finish, mostly on the inner surface. Engraving is crisp and clear throughout. Stock is also fine with a very attractive figure pattern, crisp checkering and only minor storage and handling marks and blemishes. Mechanically excellent. The case is also fine with some age
related wear and rubbing and staining to the lining. The accessories are generally very good.
B) Walter Adams Dueling Pistol - NSN, 29 bore cal., 10 inch octagon bbl., brown/blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Fine. 90% plus of the rebrowned finish remains on the barrel. The patent breech and standing breech both retain 90% of the bright original casehardened finish. The lock retains 75% slightly faded original casehardened finish. The trigger plate retains 90% original casehardened finish with some light fading on the finial, and the trigger guard retains 30% original blued finish, concentrated inside the
bow. The engraving is crisp and clear throughout. The stock is fine with a very attractive figure pattern, crisp checkering, and only minor storage and handling marks and blemishes. Mechanically excellent.
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LOT 1279
Engraved Hadley Combination Boxlock Flintlock Pistol/Hunting Sword with Scabbard - NSN, 45 cal., 3 7/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut grips.
Flintlock sword-pistols show a variety of designs and were popular in the 18th century as sidearms for hunting to dispatch wounded game like deer and boars. They were also carried as sidearms by some gentlemen and military officers. This one was built using a fairly standard boxlock percussion pistol action with a 23 inch long
curved and fullered blade with “HARVEY” marked on the spine securely attached on the left at the breech using three screws and a shell guard mounted on the right side of the frame. The left side of the action is marked “HADLEY,” a pair of “crown/cross scepter” proofs are on the bottom at the breech, and the guard is marked “LONDON.” There are also floral, border, and scroll engraving patterns, and the grip has silver wire inlaid scroll designs. The shell guard and pommel cap appear to be paktong. The multi-stage barrel has false rifling grooves at the muzzle but is smoothbore. The scabbard is leather and has some impressed patterns. CONDITION: Very good with silver-gray patina on the bright metal, some slight pitting, light aged patina on the furniture, distinct markings and engraving, and mild overall wear. The grip is also fine and has some pieces of wire lifted or absent, mild dings and scratches, and a slightly separated repair visible near the
tip. The scabbard is good with moderate flaking, flex wear, some tears, and absent fittings. Mechanically excellent. This is definitely one of the more interesting combination weapons we have seen.
Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
Estimate: 7,000 - 11,000