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Lot 3248:Pair of Van War, Son & Co. Percussion Dueling Pistols

May 16th, 2021|Rock Island, IL

Lot 3248:Pair of Van War, Son & Co. Percussion Dueling Pistols

May 16th, 2021|Rock Island, IL

Price Realized:

Estimated Price$2,000 - $3,500

A) Van Wart, Son & Co. Dueling Pistol

These mid-19th century pistols were manufactured for Van Wart, Son & Co. of Birmingham. They were merchants in Birmingham founded by American born Henry van Wart who also founded the Birmingham Stock Exchange. They focused on exporting various Birmingham made goods to America, including supplying goods to the South. The smoothbore Damascus barrels have dovetailed silver blade front sights and "London" on top and have Birmingham proofs on the bottom. The breech plugs have scroll engraving and platinum bands and plugs. Additional scroll engraving is found on the upper tangs, locks, and trigger guards. The upper tangs have small notch rear sights. The locks are marked "VAN WART SON & Co" and have sliding half-cock safeties. The pistols have adjustable single set triggers, and the trigger guards are spurred. The forend caps, wedge escutcheons, and wrist escutcheons are all silver. The stocks have checkered with double line borders. Baleen ramrods with covered ball pullers are on fitted under the barrels.

ConditionFine with a mix of fading original finish, dark patina, and distinct Damascus twist patterns on the barrel; 40% original case colors on the lock and breech, 70% original blue finish on the trigger guard, deep aged patina on the silver, minor oxidation, crisp engraving, and general minor overall wear. The stock is also fine and has minor dings and scratches, light handling wear, generally crisp checkering, a thin tension crack at the lock screw, and strong original finish. Mechanically excellent.

Details

ManufacturerVan Wart

ModelPercussion

TypePistol

ClassAntique

Caliber / Gauge54

Barrel9 1/8 inch octagon

Finishblue/casehardened/silver

Stockwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL

Catalog page141

B) Van Wart, Son & Co. Dueling Pistol

See "A."

ConditionFine with a mix of fading original finish and dark patina on the barrel along with distinct Damascus twist patterns, 60% original case colors on the upper tang and hammer, mostly silver gray patina on the balance of the casehardened surfaces, 60% plus original blue finish on the trigger guard, minor oxidation, crisp engraving and markings, dark aged patina on the silver, and generally minor wear. The stock is also fine and has mostly crisp checkering, more than half of the original finish, and mild scrapes and dings mostly concentrated on the left flat and butt. Mechanically excellent.