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LOT 326
Very Fine and Scarce Engraved Long Barreled Rifled Saw Handle Percussion Dueling Pistols Signed by Bryce of Edinburgh -A) Saw Handle Dueling Pistol - NSN, 54 cal., 11 3/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue/silver finish, walnut stock. These long barreled dueling pistols were retailed James Bryce of No. 4 West Register Street, Edinburgh, Scotland. The long Damascus barrels have rifled bores (fine rifling with small lands and wide, rounded grooves), low profile dovetailed blade and notch sights, signed “BRYCE EDINBURGH” on top, Birmingham proofed on the bottom, and fitted with platinum banded and plugged patent breeches with flourishes of shell and scroll engraving on top. The upper tangs also have scroll and floral engraving and are followed by small silver oval inlays that coordinate with the silver forend caps and wedge escutcheons. The flat locks are also signed “BRYCE” and have sliding safeties behind the hammers and fine scroll and border engraving. The furniture also has scroll and floral engraving, and the trigger guards are spurred. The distinctive and rare saw handle stocks have checkered wrists. The baleen ramrods have brass tips. A letter from Arnold M. Chernoff on March 19, 1966, is included noting that he had sold the pistols and discussing the fact that dueling pistols with barrels over ten inches long are rare, rifled dueling pistols are rare, and saw handle dueling pistols are about twenty times as rare as regular handled dueling pistols. Given that, this is an incredibly rare pair of pistols. CONDITION: Fine. The barrel has 95% of the older period applied refurbished brown and displays beautiful twist patterns along its length. The silver components have dark aged patina. The lock and pommel cap retain 50% of the lightly faded original case colors. The hammer has a crack in the face. The trigger guard has patches of bright original high polish blue finish visible on the inside of the bow and gray and brown patina on the balance. The engraving and markings remain crisp. The stock is very fine and has some minor scrapes in the otherwise crisp checkering, smooth finish, and minor dings. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: Formerly of the Arnold M. Chernoff Collection. B) Saw Handle Dueling Pistol - NSN, 54 cal., 11 3/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/silver/blue finish, walnut stock. See “A.” CONDITION: Very fine with 60% of the faded original brown finish and distinct twist patterns visible along the barrel, 50% original case colors, dark aged patina on the silver, 50% original bright blue finish on the trigger guard, smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, distinct engraving and markings, and minor overall wear. The stock is also very fine and has minor marks in the otherwise crisp checkering, light scratches and dings, strong original finish, and a small spot filled on the right side of the forend that appears to be original to the gun. Mechanically excellent. This is a very attractive, rare, and interesting set of Scottish retailer marked saw handle dueling pistols. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000 LOT 327 Engraved Pair of Hamburger & Co. Percussion Pistols -A) Hamburger & Co. Pistol - NSN, 67 cal., 7 1/2 inch flat top round bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. A very similar cased pair is in the National Trust Collections in the UK at Rufford Old Hall and listed as manufactured c. 1826 near the end of the firm of Hamburger & Co. (1812-1826) who are identified as “Sword Cutlers & Gunmakers, 30 King’s Street, Covent Garden, London.” The barrels have post front sights, “LONDON” signed on top, Birmingham proofs on the bottom, and swivel mounted ramrods. The breeches have platinum plugs, and fixed notch sights are on the standing breeches. The flat locks are signed “HAMBURGER & CO” and equipped with sliding safeties. The wedge and wrist escutcheons are silver, and the forend tips are horn. The rest of the furniture is blued steel. There is primarily scroll engraving throughout. The nearly full-length stocks have checkered wrists. CONDITION: Very fine with 85% plus original brown finish and distinct twist patterns along the barrel, 98% of the vibrant original case colors remaining on the breech plug and lock, aged patina on the silver, and 75% plus original blue finish on the remaining furniture. The stock is fine and has numerous mild scrapes and scattered dings, otherwise crisp checkering, and most of the original varnish. Mechanically excellent. B) Hamburger & Co. Pistol - NSN, 67 cal., 7 1/2 inch flat top round bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. See “A.” CONDITION: Very fine with 90% of the original vibrant case colors remaining on the lock and breech, 80% plus original brown finish and distinct twist patterns along the barrel along with minor spotting, attractive aged patina on the silver escutcheons, and 80% plus original blue finish on the furniture. The stock is fine and has numerous mild scrapes and dings, crisp checkering, and most of the glossy finish. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
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