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LOT 3289
Waters, Gill & Co. Brass Boxlock Flintlock Blunderbuss Pistol with Folding “Snap Bayonet” - Serial no. 977, 50 cal., 7 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut grips. John Waters is listed on page 56 of “English Gunmakers: The Birmingham and Provincial Gun Trade in the 18th and 19th Century” by Bailey and Nie as active 1766-1788 and “Granted British Patent No. 1284 of 9 Mar. 1781 for attaching bayonets to pistols; is generally credited with the invention of the ‘spring bayonet.’” On this example, there is a second trigger for releasing the bayonet, but pulling the main trigger also pushes this trigger back and thus the bayonet is automatically deployed when the pistol is fired. The bayonet has a drum shaped attachment mechanism rather than the more simplified spring mechanisms used on later “snap bayonet” guns. The pistol has “Patent/ No. 977” on the left side of the action, “Waters Gill/& Co.” on the right side, cross scepter Ordnance private proofs on the bottom of the barrel, “THO GILL” (a large cutlery manufacturer and contractor for edged weapons) marked on the underside of the folding bayonet, sliding half-cock safety, side mounted iron ramrod with brass tip, and a walnut grip. The muzzle flares to 1 inch, but the bore is smaller and measures approximately .50 caliber. This pistol also has a “USN” marking on the bottom of the barrel that was previously noted as “possibly, but unlikely referring to U.S. Naval use, probably just owner’s initials.” They may have been spuriously added due to the fact that the British Waters gunmakers have been confused in the past with the later Waters family of U.S. martial arms makers from Massachusetts. CONDITION: Good with attractive aged patinas on the silver and brass, mottled gray and brown patina and mild oxidation/pitting on the iron, general minor scratches and marks, and on the grip, and legible markings (one noted as likely spurious above). The spring for the bayonet is weak but functional, and the action is mechanically good. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3290
Large Caliber Ketland & Co. Flintlock Pistol with Brass Barrel - NSN, 70 cal., 8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. The Liege proofed brass barrel has “LONDON” on top, light engraving, and Birmingham proof marks. The lock is marked “T/Ketland/& Co”. The furniture is brass and has some light engraving. CONDITION: Fine, showing mostly bright attractively aged brass finish and a light grey patina on the lock with some scattered light pitting and clear markings. The wood is also fine with some minor dings throughout and a two inch long sliver of wood absent along the right forward barrel channel. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,300 - 1,900
LOT 3291
Pair of Engraved Bunney Boxlock Flintlock Screw Barrel Pistols -A) Bunney Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 56 cal., 5 1/4 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Joseph Bunney’s shops in Birmingham and London appear to have produced a large number of boxlock flintlock pistols c. the 1760s-1800. This pair has “BUNNEY” on the left, “LONDON” on the right, and Ordnance private proofs along with multi-stage cannon style barrels that screw off, some scroll and martial engraving, and slab sided grips with silver wire inlays at the top and around the silver wrist escutcheons which are engraved with a monogram. CONDITION: Good with dark aged patina on the brass, gray and brown patina and some mild oxidation/pitting on the iron, and aged patina on the silver. The refinished stock is also good and has a dent and repair at the escutcheon, some loss at the front right, and some light scratches. Mechanically fine. B) Bunney Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 56 cal., 5 1/4 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut grips. See “A.” CONDITION: Good with dark aged patina on the brass, darker discoloration at the breech, gray and brown patina and minor oxidation/pitting on the iron, and aged patina on the silver. The refinished stock is also good with mild dings and scratches, some small pieces of absent wire, some hairline cracks, and mild overall wear. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3292
Two Documented French Model 1822 Navy Marked Percussion Pistols from the Arsenal at the Garrison on the Island of Tahiti -A) Mutzig 1822 T Pistol - NSN, 69 cal., 7 7/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This pair of French Model 1822 Navy marked pistols each include their own individual detailed letters, both dated April 10th, 1962, from the Papeete Museum on the island of Tahiti verifying they came directly out of their collection. Each letter states, “This letter is to certify that the French percussion pistol which you purchased during your visit to Tahiti in July, 1960, from our Museum in Tahiti, with the approval of the Museum Board of Directors, was a part of the French arsenal at the garrison on our island of Tahiti, Society Islands, French Polynesia. The gun was presented to the Museum after being declared obsolete by French ordinance.” Each individual letter further describes every marking and feature of the pistols in detail. This example is dated “1800” on the barrel tang with a Mutzig marked lock, and a Navy anchor stamped underneath the pommel. CONDITION: Very good as arsenal converted to percussion from its original flintlock configuration, exhibiting a mix of smooth gray and brown patina overall with mostly clear markings. Modern replacement percussion nipple. Brass displays mostly bright. Stock is good as sanded and re-oiled, with a mild crack beneath the lock and running through the rear lock screw on the left, some scattered dents and scratches, and some chips. Mechanically fine. B) St. Etienne 1822 T Bis Rifled Pistol - Serial no. 954MI, 69 cal., 7 7/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Reference “A” description. This example is marked “Mle 1822T/ bis” on the barrel tang, “S.1854” dated marked on the right of the breech above serial number “954MI”, matching number “954” marked on the right grip area of the stock with a St. Etienne marked lock. CONDITION: Very good, exhibiting a mix of smooth gray and brown patina overall with some moderate pitting on the lower tang and mostly defined markings overall. Modern replacement percussion nipple. Brass displays mostly bright. Stock is good as sanded and re-oiled, with some scattered dents and scratches, some chips, a mild crack on the right of the grip area, and a repaired and spliced section behind the lock. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
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