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Lot 383:Algerian Race Prize Inscribed Cased Pair of Percussion Pistols

December 3rd, 2021|Rock Island, IL

Lot 383:Algerian Race Prize Inscribed Cased Pair of Percussion Pistols

December 3rd, 2021|Rock Island, IL

Price Realized:

Estimated Price$9,500 - $16,000

A) Percussion Pistol

The ornate central escutcheon on the case lid is inscribed "Courses d'Alger. Mars 1863/Prix des Souscripteurs/1er Prix" indicating the set was a prize at the races in Algiers in March 1863. The lack of year and serial number markings on these target/dueling pistols suggests they were manufactured for/retailed by Gastinne-Renette rather than manufactured in their shop. The rifled barrels have bead style front sights and "Gastinne-Renette arq. de l'Empereur a Paris" signed on top. The patent breeches and upper tangs behind the notch rear sights are marked "1" (A) and "2" (B). The locks have "Gastinne/Renette" signed below the hammers, and the locks and furniture have floral scroll engraving. The stocks have coordinating relief carved floral scroll patterns with more complex overlapping patterns. "JNI" is under the barrel on the forend of the first pistol. This marking is found on many French pistols from the era with carved ebony stocks. The inside of the case lid has "GASTINNE-RENETTE/ARQR ORDINAIRE/de S.M. l'Empereur/A PARIS" in golden lettering, and the interior is closely fitted to the pistols and the included mallet, loading and cleaning rods, ball mold, screwdriver, nipple wrench, measure, small powder flask, and two containers. The lidded compartments have some balls, patches, a bore mop, and an old description of the set in French.

ConditionVery fine with 85% plus plum brown finish remaining on the barrel, mostly even French gray appearance on the other metal with some light patination and minimal minor oxidation, and general minor age and storage related wear overall. The stock is fine and has crisp carving, a few hairline cracks such as at the nose of the lock, some light scratches and marks, and light handling and storage wear. Mechanically fine. The case and accessories are very good with generally mild wear concentrated on the case exterior, compression marks and fading on the lining, and some aging and finish loss on the accessories.

Details

ManufacturerRenette Gastinne

ModelPercussion

TypePistol

ClassAntique

Caliber / Gauge45

Barrel10 1/4 inch octagon

Finishbrown/gray

Stockrelief carved ebony

Item LocationRock Island, IL

Catalog page234

B) Percussion Pistol

See "A."

ConditionVery fine with 85% plus of the original plum brown finish remaining on the barrel, smooth French gray on most of the remaining surfaces, some minor oxidation, and general minor overall wear. The stock is also very fine and has crisp carving, some mild scratches and dings, and light age and handling wear. Mechanically fine.