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LOT 3298
Rare and Unique Documented
A. Francotte Beaumont-Adams
Double Action Centerfire Conversion Revolver
with Inscribed Case and Accessories From the
Famous Henk L. Visser Collection
- Serial no. 3171, 44 CF cal., 6 inch octagon bbl., blue finish,
gutta percha grips. This is a rare example of a Beaumont-Adams revolver, originally manufactured by August Francotte of Liege,
Belgium as a percussion revolver and subsequently converted by P. Stevens of Maastricht, Netherlands to accept a centerfire cartridge.
Reportedly, P. Stevens supplied an example of one of these centerfire
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE VISSER COLLECTION, VOL. I, PART 4
conversion revolvers to the Dutch Navy in 1869 in an attempt to interest them, but this system was not adopted. The one-piece barrel and frame group have a dovetailed blade front and notch rear sight. Engraved with scrolling foliage on each side of the breech, border engraved topstrap with maker marking, cylinder with engraved forward edge and stamped with maker and conversion marks, P. Stevens markings on the striker housing and loading gate, and engraving on the buttcap. Includes a lined mahogany case with a brass escutcheon on the lid inscribed “den 1st Luit.t C.D.H. Sethe. de Offic.r van den Rycursus.1862” which translates to “[For] 1st Lieutenant C.D.H. Sethe [from] the officers of the riding course.1862”, manufacturer’s trade label on the inside of the lid, and containing a cleaning rod, oiler and lead balls. This rare revolver is pictured on pages 516-517 of the book “The Visser Collection” Volume I part 4 catalog no. 908 by Guus de Vries and Bas Martens, page 223 of the book “Nederlandse Vuurwapens, Landmacht, Marine en Koloniale Troepen 1866-1895” by Guus de Vries and Bas Martens, and pages 41-45 of “Die Militarrevolver der Niederlande 1856-1940” by H.E. Harder and W.A. Dreschler. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 70% plus original blue finish with smooth gray and brown patina on the balance. Grip is also very fine with some light handling marks and defined edges and designs. Mechanically excellent. Included case is fine with some light handling marks. Provenance: The Henk Visser Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000
LOT 3299
Rare Gold Finished Tranter Patent Five-Shot Double Action Percussion Revolver with Case - Serial no. 13362T, 120 bore cal., 3 3.4 inch octagon bbl., gold/blue finish, walnut grips. With gilt octagonal sighted barrel engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the muzzle, gilt border engraved cylinder and frame, gilt hammer, gilt rammer and furniture, the frame and rammer each stamped “W. TRANTER PATENTS”. Blued safety stop and arbor spring catch. Figured walnut butt with panel of fine multi-point checkering. Birmingham proof marks. In original fitted mahogany case lined in dark green baize. With accessories comprising a black japanned tin of Eley Bros. percussion caps, another tin with label for “W. TRANTER’S PATENT LUBRICATING BULLETS”, a third tin with no label, a brass double cavity bullet mold serial numbered to the revolver and stamped “TRANTER’S PATENT”, a Dixon & Sons pewter oiler and brass mounted lacquered copper powder flask, loading rod with removable tip and forked turnscrew tool. CONDITION: Very fine. The revolver retains 85% original gilded (gold) finish with some minor loss from handling and storage at the hard edges, some larger patches of loss to right side of the frame, butt cap and trigger guard tang; and a cylinder drag line. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good with some external storage and handling wear and marking, almost certainly an older relining, some storage rubbing, and wear from the revolver. The accessories are generally very good, with the powder flask spring incomplete. Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
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