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LOT 1213
Very Scarce Small Bore Breechloading Flintlock Rifle Based on the Chaumette System
- NSN, 32 cal., 40 3/4 inch part octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This long rifle utilizes a system
similar to Isaac de la Chaumette’s early 18th century design which employs a screw in breech plug connected
to the trigger guard which was also later improved by Patrick Ferguson and Durs Egg. However, on this example, instead of a normal flash pan
and vent arrangement, the pan is partially grooved into the breechblock and top of the barrel, and the flash is communicated through a small channel at the edge of the breechblock. Another example of this priming style with a
different lock design by Brion c. 1730 is noted in “The Ferguson Rifle and Its Origins” by W. Keith Neal in the American Society of Arms Collectors Bulletin in 1974. He notes that the Brion design used prepared paper cartridges which
were stored in a compartment in the stock. Our present example also has a stock compartment. The barrel has three-groove rifling and a blade front sight. The furniture is iron. The screw-heads have floral engraving, and the cock is
nicely sculpted. Otherwise, the metal is mostly plain. The stock has fine checkering on the forend and wrist.
CONDITION: Very good with silver-gray patina overall, some minor pitting mostly by the pan, and generally minor overall wear. The stock has a hairline crack at the upper tang/lock and is otherwise also fine and has crisp
checkering, nice oiled finish, and light handling and storage wear. Mechanically functions. This is a very rare rifle. Chaumette and Ferguson pattern breechloading flintlocks are extremely scarce in general, and we have never seen
one of this pattern before!
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 1212
Engraved, Gold Inlaid, Silver Mounted, and Relief Carved
French Flintlock Double Barrel Shotgun from Pirmet of Paris - NSN, 20 gauge,
32 inch solid rib bbl., blue/gold/bright/silver finish, walnut stock. This deluxe Parisian shotgun
dates to c. 1789-1809 based on the hallmarks on the silver mounts and features blued barrels with an
upper rib and decorated with a gold starburst surrounding the silver front sight, a small lug for a bayonet on
the left towards the muzzle, “PIRMET PARIS” signed on the rib towards the breech, and gold martial trophy motifs
and bands. The standing breech is grooved and features additional gold designs. The locks are signed “PIRMET A PARIS” in ornate script
and engraved with classical martial trophy and foliate patterns. The silver mounts feature a variety of designs, and the stock has raised relief foliate
carving, including a basket of fruit and flowers at the trigger guard finial. Ramrod absent.
CONDITION: Very good overall as reconverted to flintlock, with nearly all of the
freshened gold inlay remaining, 50% of the original blue finish on the barrels,
attractively aged patina on the silver mounts, silver-gray and brown patina on the
balance, distinct engraving and markings, a repaired break in the stock, generally
distinct carving, and mild overall wear. Mechanically functions.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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