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LOT 3225
Exceptional Cased Pair of Engraved Durs Egg Percussion Dueling Pistols -A) Durs Egg Dueling Pistol - NSN, 32 Bore cal., 9 3/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. Durs Egg was one of the most renowned London gunmakers of the late 18th and early 19th centuries with this present pair of pistols being produced in the late 1700s. They have been expertly converted to percussion, probably around 1830, with the conversion possibly carried out by Wilkinson & Son of Pall Mall, London. Fitted with browned swamped octagonal Damascus barrels with blade front sights, notch rear sights and signed “D. EGG, LONDON,” in gold towards the breech ends. The conversion comprises blocks housing the percussion nipples being fitted over the original flintlock touch holes and the fitment of a breech plug with hooks. Casehardened standing breeches were added with partial fences and engraved with scrollwork and a martial trophy. The diminutive locks have small sections inserted to block off the cut where the priming pans originally sat, and the piercings for the frizzen and spring are filled. The flat beveled detented locks are
164 casehardened, signed “D. Egg”, fitted with blued safety bolt locking the
hammers, and have stepped tails. Blued single set triggers. Engraved blued furniture comprising ramrod pipes, trigger plates, trigger guards and butt caps. Finely figured walnut full length stocks with dark horn forearm caps and diamond checkering to the butts. Brass mounted wooden ramrods with worm. London proof marks. In fitted mahogany case lined in green baize, the case possibly original to the time of conversion. The lid with large printed Wilkinson & Son trade label. With accessories including
Dixon & Sons brass mounted copper powder flask, Hawksley pewter oiler, combined turnscrew and pricker, a WD “IMPROVED NO.33” iron bullet mold, treen pot containing two spare percussion nipples, a black lacquered tin for patches. The exterior of the lid with flush fitting brass carrying handle and circular brass escutcheon engraved with a crest and motto. With leather outer with carrying handle initialed “W.F.H..”
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine as period converted to percussion. The barrel has 90% dark period rebrowned finish with some scattered surface corrosion marks visible beneath the finish. The standing breech and lock each have near 100% casehardened finish, the finish possibly dating to the time of conversion from flintlock. The furniture is fine with approximately
60% blue finish. The stock is very fine and has attractive figure pattern and scattered minor age related storage and handling blemishes and bruises. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with some minor age related marking and staining to lining and some scattered staining to the otherwise very fine trade label. Externally the case has minimal storage and handling marks and blemishes. Outer with age wear, flap split, straps replaced. Accessories are very fine.
B) Durs Egg Dueling Pistol - NSN, 32 Bore cal., 9 3/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine as period converted to percussion. 90% of the dark period rebrowned finish remains with some scattered surface corrosion marks visible beneath the finish. The standing breech and
lock both retain nearly 98% casehardened finish, and this finish possibly dates to the time of conversion from flintlock. The furniture is good with approximately 50% blue finish remaining. The stock is very good and has attractive figure pattern and scattered minor age related storage and handling blemishes and bruises. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 18,000 - 25,000