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LOT 335
Attractive Antique Engraved A. Francotte “Krupp Revolver” .577
Caliber Double Action Revolver - Serial no. 516, 577 cal., 4 3/4 inch
solid rib bbl., nickel finish, ebony grips. Manufactured in Belgium,
this revolver is chambered for a massive .577 caliber cartridge. Handguns
so chambered, sometimes called “stopping guns”, were typically marketed as weapons of last
resort for hunters in Africa and India, where a man might find themselves in a situation where nothing less than maximum handheld firepower will save their life. Such handguns are also known to have been privately purchased by officers looking for
something more potent than the typical sidearm. Blade front and notch rear sights, with “KRUPP/REVOLVER” on the top strap, “577” on the left side of the barrel, “516” on the frame, and Belgian proofs on the barrel and cylinder. Overall design bears are resemblance to the Smith
& Wesson #3 Russian, with a spring loaded retainer latch on the top strap, an auto-ejector mechanism, and a spur rest for the middle finger on the trigger guard. The rebounding hammer is fitted with a shallow hook that engages with the latch at the moment of discharge, acting as an automatic
reinforcement for the closure mechanism. The barrel, top strap and frame are finely sculpted with leafy scrollwork, a lanyard ring is installed on the butt, and the grips are checkered. CONDITION: Very good. Traces of original nickel finish are present at the muzzle end of the barrel
and in the rib flutes, on the frame beneath the cylinder, and other protected places, with most of the surface having turned a smooth gray patina with mild spotting, a few areas of shallow pitting and scattered handling
marks; generally, a honest antique. The grips are good, with a small chip and a short crack in the right panel near the back strap heel, a thin crack on the left in the same region, light chipping around the butt, and mild wear and handling overall. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Clive Cussler Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 336
Massive French 24-Shot Trap/Remote Fire Double Action Revolver - Serial no. 13, 11.5 mm cal., 8 inch round bbl., brown finish. This massive revolver is in a similar configuration to other revolvers that have previously been listed as trap guns, remote fire guns, or keel guns. It has a large 24-shot cylinder, ring trigger for attaching a line, and “grip” area that appears more functional as a mounting point. There are faint French proofs on the right of the barrel and lower left of the frame, and a larger “13” on the
front of the frame.
CONDITION: Good, showing mostly a smooth brown
patina and black enamel on some of the smaller mounting hardware with some scattered light pitting and oxidation. The hammer functions, but does not rotate the cylinder. Quite a conversation piece!
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 337
Finely Engraved John Adams Patent Model 1867 Double Action Revolver - Serial no. 1857, 450 Boxer cal., 6
inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This early John Adams’s patent revolver is the Model 1867A variant with the rotating switch that releases the ejector rod. The barrel has “ADAMS’S PATENT SMALL ARMS Co., 391, STRAND, LONDON.” and a dovetailed blade front sight. London proofs are on the upper left flat and the cylinder. The frame has a fixed notch rear sight, “ADAMS’S PATENT, 1857.” and the Adams’s trademark on the right side, “No1857” on the cylinder, and “1857” in the hammer well. Flourishes of English style floral scroll engraving are visible throughout and it is fitted with a one-piece checkered grip.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth brown- grey patina, primarily on the grip straps and trigger guard. The grip is very fine with some scattered light dings and scratches. Mechanically functions, although the cylinder does not lock up tight.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
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