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LOT 309
Cased Colgan of Limerick Engraved Percussion Pepperbox - NSN, 42 cal., 3 3/8 inch fluted bbl., casehardened finish, walnut grips. This revolver came out of the shop of Colgan & Son or William Colgan in Limerick, Ireland, around the 1840s. It has “COLGAN, LIMERICK” inscribed on the left side of the frame, light London proof and view type markings in the flutes of the six-shot barrel group, scroll and floral engraving, a sliding safety, silver wrist escutcheon,
checkered grip, border carving at the butt, and a small cap compartment inside the engraved cap. The red velvet lined mahogany case has a label with a coat of arms with three crescent moons with a band of three five pointed stars, a bird with a laurel branch over a torse crest above the escutcheon, a banner with the motto “BEATI PACIFICI.” below (blessed are those who make peace), and “Henry Fitz Simons” on the bottom. The case also contains a powder flask, patch cutter, screwdriver, nipple wrench, oiler, rod, cap tin, and bullet mold. The identity of the owner is not clear given the many men by that name in the period. One candidate is Henry Fitzsimons (1824-1902) who immigrated to the U.S. from Ireland in the early 1850s and lived in Rock Island, Illinois, through at least the early 1860s and is buried in Poweshiek County, Iowa. CONDITION: Very good with strong patches of original niter blue on the top of the trigger, mottled gray patina on the balance of the metal, crisp engraving, distinct checkering with some mild wear, and some minor marks and scratches. The barrels do not consistently rotate when fired, but otherwise mechanically fine. The case and accessories are very good and have mild overall wear. This is a nice set. Firearms out of mid-19th century Ireland are rare and particularly interesting given Ireland’s turbulent history in that period. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 310
Engraved Young of Bury St. Edmunds German Silver Percussion Pepperbox Pistol - NSN, 42 cal., 3 1/4 inch fluted cluster bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut grips. This six-shot pepperbox pistol is signed by William Young of Bury St. Edmunds (referred to simply as Bury), England. The floral scroll engraved German silver frame signed “YOUNG” on the right and “BURY” on the left. Additional engraved work decorates the bar hammer, trigger guard and grip cap. The action features a casehardened bar hammer and a sliding hammer safety. Alternating “crown/GP” and “V” proofs are stamped on each barrel cluster flute. An engraved floral band is featured on the barrel cluster at the muzzles. The one-piece grip features fine checkering, compartment butt cap and blank silver escutcheon. CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel cluster retains 85% bright original high polished blue finish with a few areas of smooth brown patina. 50% original blue remains on the trigger guard. The German silver is also very fine. The hammer retains 70% original case colors. The engraving is crisp. The grip is excellent with crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Richard P. Mellon Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
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