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LOT 301
Ornate Damascened and Silver Banded Caucasian Miquelet Pistol -
NSN, 46 cal., 11 1/2 inch round bbl., gold/brown/silver finish, walnut stock. This pistol is in the classic style of the Caucasus region. The maker’s mark on the barrel is the same shape as the pistol in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Accession Number: 36.25.2239) that is noted as likely from Tbilisi c. 1846-1847, but the mark on this pistol is not legible. By that time, much of the region was under the control of the Russian Empire. It had previously been part of the Persian Empire. The metal components have damascene patterns mainly consisting of floral motif. The Damascus barrel has a flared muzzle, and the barrel bands are silver. The ball shaped pommel is antique ivory and has a lanyard stud with niello decorated silver floral base, and has diamond shaped bone or antique ivory inlays under the screws. CONDITION: Fine with aged patina on the silver bands, over half of the original gold remaining, and dark brown patina on the balance. The stock is very good and has splices in the forend tip section, attractive flame figure, and aged patina and some age cracks on the pommel and inlays. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 302
Ornate Silver Mounted Greek/Albanian Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 62 cal., 11 3/4 inch round bbl., bright finish, metal stock. This likely early 19th century “rat tail” pistol is a very ornate and more refined example of the style popular in the Balkans in the late 18th century and early 19th century and commonly identified as originating in Albania and sometimes Greece. The silver stock has a variety of primarily floral patterns with some niello accents. The barrel has some floral patterns, brass inlays, and a series of brass inlaid maker’s marks on the breech. It has a flintlock rather than the more commonly seen miquelet lock, and the lock has light engraving and heavier sculpting and a bridle on the pan the extends down over the frizzen spring. CONDITION: Very good with dark gray and brown patina and mild wear on the lock and barrel, light patina on the stock which has crisp designs and dark niello accents, and general mild overall wear. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
LOT 303
Indian Katar Armor Piercing Dagger with Dual Mounted Percussion Pistols - NSN, 38 cal., 1 1/2 inch round bbl., bright finish, metal grips. Produced at an unknown date, this is a fine katar outfitted with a pair of box lock screw barrel percussion pistols, one on each support arm, oriented in line with the blade. The katar measures 18 1/4 inches overall, with a 10 1/2 inch double edged spear point blade, shaped with broad double fullers, a raised reinforcement spine, and a floral motif at the base. The arms are 8 5/8 inches long and 2 5/8 inches wide at the grip, a dual-bar arrangement with the space between the bars decorated with two sculpted scenes of large birds, possibly hamsa, fighting. The pistols are numbered “1” and “2” on both the barrel and frame, respectively, each featuring light border engraving on the sides, a fish head hammer, and an engraved floral pattern to match the design on the blade behind the hammer. CONDITION: Fine overall, with a mixed gray patina and scattered mild spotting. The blade shows some chips and nicks along the edge, and some mild pitting is present on the pistols. Pistol #1 has a battered nipple, but both appear to be in good mechanical order. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 304 Caucasian Miquelet Pistol with Gold Barrel Accents - NSN, 62 cal., 14 inch round bbl., brown/gold finish, curly maple stock. This pistol features gold designs and calligraphic markings on the barrel which has sculpted raised designs, a groove rear sight on the upper tang, an elongated “Z” pattern side plate with spire finials, a small knob trigger without a guard, a separate rounded knob pommel on the stock, and was made without provisions for a ramrod. It is similar to miquelet pistols used by Cossacks and others in the Caucasus in the 19th century. Parts of the region were claimed by the Persian, Ottoman, and Russian empires. George Moller’s small collection mark is near the toe on the pommel. CONDITION: Very good. Much of the original gold remains, and the balance of the metal has dark brown patina. The stock is very good and has a attractive flame figure, a spliced and then later cracked forend with pieces from the edges absent, and a cracked pommel, apparently from period use as a bludgeon. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
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