Page 87 - 83-BOOK1

LOT 83
Cased “Le Petit Protector” Ring
Gun - NSN, 3 mm cal., 3/8 inch
cluster bbl., nitre blue/German
silver finish. This is an example of a
19th century custom made French
pinfire ring gun. These ring pistols are oddities and appeal to collectors purely as conversation pieces. The band of the ring has a light floral type engraving and is marked “LE PETIT PROTECTOR”. This ring gun features a hand rotated 6-shot
3 mm pinfire cartridge cylinder that must be removed for loading/unloading. The pins of the cartridges are struck by the base of the hammer (any pinfire cartridge is obsolete). The included black leather case has a gold border on top of the lid and a small circular German silver plaque marked “LE PETIT/PROTECTOR”. Blue silk lined on the underside of the lid and blue felt lined on the interior. Includes four pinfire cartridges and a screwdriver.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 95% original nitre blue finish with a light drag line on the cylinder and crisp engraving. Mechanically fine. Case is fine with some light edge wear and light handling marks.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 85
“Petit Crane” Marked Three Shot Ring Style Pistol
with Case - NSN, 3 mm cal., 1/4 inch cluster bbl., nitre
blue/German silver finish. This is a unique example of
a 20th century made French three shot 19th century
style percussion ring gun. The band of the ring is
marked “PETIT CRANE” flanked by a light floral engraving. German silver with the small parts blue finished iron. The muzzle is fashioned after a skull, with a Neal’s marked retailer case and two tools. The case has a Petit Crane silver oval maker plate on top of the lid. The interior of the case is lined in green velvet and the inside of the lid is lined in silk.
CONDITION: Very fine as custom made, retains 97% nitre blue finish with some very light wear on the hammer. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good with some mild wear.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 86
Unique Silver Egg-Shaped Repoussé Shell Housing a Concealed Percussion Pistol - NSN, 8 mm cal., 3/8 inch round bbl., nitre blue/German
silver finish. An unmarked, concealed percussion pistol
seated inside a repoussé two-piece silver egg-shaped shell with floral
patterns on the outside. The pistol consists of a small barrel that loads from the top with
a trigger mechanism below and a sideways spring
loaded hammer that hits the base of the barrel where
a percussion cap can be placed.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 75% plus nitre blue finish
on the pistol mechanism with some light patches of surface pitting inside. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 87
Scarce Delvigne Percussion “Mouse & Dog Pistol” - Serial no. 16, 8 mm cal., 3
1/4 inch octagon bbl., bright finish, gutta percha grips. Manufactured by Delvigne
of Paris in the mid-1830s, this percussion pistol is commonly referred to as a
“mouse & dog pistol.”The name comes from the fact that the hammer and frame
are sculpted in the shape of a mouse (the hammer the head, the frame the body) with the
trigger it’s tail, and the gutta percha grip panels have a molded image of a dog. The pistol is
cocked by pulling back on a spring loaded rod located under the barrel, and pulling back on
the trigger releases the rod, allowing the hammer to strike the percussion nipple located at the rear
of the breech. The barrel features engraved scrollwork on each flat at the muzzle and breech. The
top flat is signed “Daon Delvigne”, and the bottom flat has the serial number. The grips are marked on the left
“SEULS DEPOSITAIRES” and on the right “LEPAGE Fres A PARIS”. The molded grip panels feature a dog and floral
motif. A steel ramrod is located in the butt of the pistol. The overall length is nearly 4 inches.
CONDITION: Fine with smooth surfaces and some scattered small patches of very light pitting. Grips are also fine showing light wear and some scattered nicks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 88
Unique French “Le Merveilleux” Squeeze-Fire Palm Pistol with Attractive
Raised Carved Grips - Serial no. 1349, 6 mm cal., 3 inch round bbl., blue/nickel finish,
antique ivory grips. Manufactured in the late 19th century. The barrel is attached to
the trigger bar, and the weapon is fired by squeezing the bar, which pulls the barrel
back, chambers a round, and then releases the firing pin, with the return extracting
the cartridge. No maker’s marks are present on the frame and barrel. Grips are
beautiful raised carved antique ivory, with dotted background, raised floral and leaf
designs, and a banner with “LE MERVEILLEUX” at the rear.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 50% plus original blue finish with the balance a mottled brown with mild pitting. 80% plus original nickel finish on the frame with some scattered patches of mild pitting. Grips are also fine with some light fading and some chips at the corners. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
Rare Frankenau’s Patent Concealed Double Action “Purse” Pinfire Revolver - Serial no. 602, 5 mm PF cal., 3/4 inch round bbl., nickel finish. These interesting self- defense handguns are discussed in “Firearms Curiosa” by Winant and pictured on page 159. The design for this unusual weapon was patented in the U.K. on September 5, 1877, and then the U.S. on November 6, 1877. This revolver appears to be a coin purse at first glance but contains a folding trigger pinfire revolver within with the serial number “602” on the recoil shield on the right, “2” on the back of the cylinder, “602” on the rear of the right blast shield, and a “crown/Z” proof on the left side of the frame at the rear. The trigger folds down and through the bottom of the purse so that the revolver can be fired without opening the purse itself. The top of the case has “FRANKENAU’S PATENT.” There is also a small cover for the muzzle. It is also numbered “602” by hand inside the metal body of the purse. The revolver compartment also has an ejector rod and is perforated on the lid to aid in heat dissipation. The other compartment can hold money or other items. CONDITION: Very fine. The revolver itself retains 90% of its original nickel finish. The leather/ fabric exterior is very good with light wear and aged patina, and the interior lining has some tears. Mechanically functions fine, cylinder will not always index properly. A rare and very interesting “covert” revolver and piece of “firearms curiosa.” Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
85
LOT 84