This early 1800s cased set by Durs Egg (1745-1822) is very interesting example of an all-around set for an English gentleman. They were featured on the cover of "The Gun Report," Vol. 50, No. 3, August 2004 issue. The case contains a pair of approximately 28 bore smoothbore pistols, an approximately 28 bore shotgun barrel, and a detachable shoulder stock. The pistols themselves would be suitable for dueling or defensive use. With just the stock attached, one of the pistols can be turned into a very light short-barreled carbine. With the stock and shotgun barrel attached, one of the pistols becomes a very handy 28 bore shotgun. Unlike many shoulder stocked pistols, the stock design actually points very well with both the pistol barrels and the shotgun barrel. The consignor noted that this was "Thought to be a cased set used by Durs Egg in his shop to show his work along with his patent attachable shoulder stock." The pistols themselves are similar in basic design to other known Durs Egg pistols, including the pair made for the Prince of Wales (later King George IV) (Metropolitan Museum of Art Accession Number: 35.81.1–.2) and the officer's pistols sold by Rock Island Auction Company in September 2021 (Auction 83, Lot 292). They feature smoothbore Damascus barrels with golden blade front sights, "D. EGG, LONDON," signed on top in gold inlay, London proofmarks, dovetailed notch rear sights, pairs of gold inlaid bands at the breeches, and gold vent liners. The standing breeches have burst, floral, and martial engraving. The locks have "D. Egg" signed in script below the gold lined pans, rollers on the frizzen springs, sliding half-cock safeties that also secure the pans and feature scroll engraving that lines up with the lock engraving in the locked position, burst engraving behind the fences, and martial engraving on the stepped tails. The locks are fired by adjustable single set triggers. The triggers are enclosed by elongated trigger guards with attached spurs and burst, floral, and martial engraving. The furniture also has coordinating burst, floral, and martial engraving. The wedge escutcheons are silver. There are slots in the back of the wrists for mounting the shoulder stock. The half-length pistol stocks have checkered wrists. The shotgun barrel has a golden blade front sight with gold inlaid cross shaped base, "D. EGG, LONDON," dual gold bands at the breech end, London proofmarks, and a gold lined vent. The buttstock is nicely figured walnut and has a rounded cheekpiece and a very solid but easily released attachment design. The upper tang has "EGG'S PATENT BUTT." The bare butt has a light "2" marking down by the toe. The shotgun ramrod appears to be an antique replacement as it is slightly too long. It has a covered worm. One of the pistol ramrods has a worm and the other has a measure. The pair comes in a fitted case with an Egg trade label inside the lid, green lining, a blued steel loading rod with checkered and dot pattern on one end and a removable jag and covered worm on the other, a brush, a mainspring vice, an "S.A" and "30" (bore) marked punch, a "34" (bore) marked ball mold, pair of interlocking turnscrews, three-compartment powder flask with red Moroccan leather binding, a leather shot flask, a few balls, and a C.P. Bedford collection tag.

Excellent. The pistol barrel retains 95% plus of the brown finish and has bright original gold inlays, and visible Damascus patterns. The lock and breech retain dark original case colors. The top of the frizzen is chipped. The furniture retains 85% plus of the original blue finish, and the silver has attractive aged patina. The pistol stock has crisp checkering, light scratches and dings, a few small chips along the edges of the forend, smooth finish, and a small repaired chip at the toe between the pommel cap and the trigger guard tang. Mechanically excellent. The shotgun barrel has 95% plus of the brown finish, distinct Damascus patterns, bright gold inlays, and minor wear mainly on the side flats at the breech end. The Egg patent butt has very attractive figure, smooth finish, minor handling and storage marks, traces of original finish on the hardware, and gray patina on the balance. The engraving and markings are distinct throughout. The case and remaining accessories are fine with minor age and storage related wear, some replaced hardware on the case, and distinct label.

See "A." Provenance: The Clay P. Bedford Collection; The Eric Vaule Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection

Excellent. The pistol barrel retains 90% plus of the brown finish and has bright original gold inlays, some minor oxidation on the upper left, and visible Damascus patterns. The lock and breech retain dark original case colors. The furniture retains 85% plus of the original blue finish, and the silver has attractive aged patina. The pistol stock has crisp checkering, light scratches and dings, a few small chips along the left edge of the forend, smooth finish, and a small crack at the heel between the pommel cap and the stock mounting hardware. Mechanically excellent. This is a captivating set exhibiting the skill and creativity of Durs Egg's shop in the early 19th century. This set would have been just the ticket for a traveling English gentleman offering him the opportunity of self-defense, defense of honor, and sport all within a fairly small case.