Samuel Spang and his business partner Wallace were fish tackle and gun retailers, importers, and gunsmiths in the 1830s to 1850s at 94 North Third Street in Philadelphia which was one of the major centers of the American gun trade and commerce. The relatively few firearms that survive with their markings all show high quality, and a shotgun with very similar markings and engraving is known. Dueling sets by the company are very scarce, and like all American dueling pistols, are highly sought out by collectors. No clear information about their partnership is known at this time, but listings in period Philadelphia directories as well as advertisements in newspapers indicate their shop at 94 North 3rd Street was open from at least 1837 to 1857 and also sold Haarlem oil, fishing tackle, and imported arms and ammunition. Though advertisements list arms manufactured by them, it is possible they had their markings added to arms produced by other makers as was common in the period. This set was previously identified as featured in "The Code of Honor: Dueling in America" by Ellen N. Murray and as formerly from the William R. Orbelo Collection. The smoothbore Damascus barrels have rounded German silver blade front sights, "Philadelphia" in ornate script on top, and dual silver bands at the breech. The patent breeches have U-notch sights and scroll engraving, and matching engraving is also on the upper tangs, locks, and spurred trigger guards. The curved back action locks have "Sprang & Wallace" in script at the upper edge. The pistols are equipped with adjustable single set triggers. The saw handle shaped stocks have German silver forend caps, wedge plates, accents on the left side, and buttplates and checkered wrists. They come in a fitted hardwood case with cap tins, a nipple wrench, an oiler, a three-compartment combination powder flask, a fob with a compass and a stamp for a wax seal with a bust of a man on the bottom, ramrod/cleaning rod with additional attachments, some lead balls, and some cloth.

Fine. The barrel has a smooth gray and brown blend of faded original finish and patina and has visible Damascus twist patterns along the length, dark aged patina on the silver bands, and minor spotting. Strong traces of original case colors remain on the lock and upper tang, and 85% bright original nitre blue finish remains on the trigger guard. The German silver has light aged patina. The stock is very fine and has crisp checkering, attractive figure, a slight tension crack at the forward lock screw on the left, and light scratches and dings. The set trigger could use some adjustments, but it is otherwise mechanically fine.

See A.

Fine. The barrel has a smooth blend of faded original brown finish and gray and brown patina, some tool marks, visible Damascus twist patterns, light oxidation, and aged patina on the silver bands. The lock and upper tang have the majority of their original case colors. There is a period repair to the hammer. The trigger guard retains 85% bright original nitre blue finish and has some minor oxidation. The German silver is lightly aged. The stock is very fine and has crisp checkering, some small small dents at the edges, and minor scrapes and pressure marks. The set trigger could benefit from some adjustments, but it is otherwise mechanically excellent. The case is good with moderate storage wear, a crack across the lid, the front lock plate absent, and mild scrapes and dings. The accessories are generally very good and show appropriate age. Overall, this is a very attractive and rare set of distinctive saw handled dueling pistols from Spang & Wallace's shop in Philadelphia.