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LOT 1324
Historic Finely Engraved, Gold and Silver Inlaid, and Relief Carved
Side by Side Percussion Combination Gun by G. Pistor Made for King Frederick Wilhelm III of Prussia - Serial no. 772, 60 cal.,
30 1/4 inch solid rib bbl., gray/gold/silver/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The consignor indicated that Dr. Leonid Tarassuk (formerly Arms
& Armament curator at the Hermitage) authenticated this combination gun as made for King Frederick Wilhelm III of Prussia (b. 1770- d.1840, r.
1797-1840) in 1827. The wrist escutcheon has the king’s royal monogram. The barrels are a fine Damascus embellished with gold and silver inlays including dual bands at the muzzle, clouds with lightning bolts on the breech section, a torch with a Dacian Draco style motif wrapped around the staff, floral designs, and chevrons at the breech end. They are equipped with a silver The left barrel is smoothbore, and the right is rifled. The gun was originally a late flintlock and was updated in the period to percussion. The breech plugs have inset gold “G. PISTOL” maker’s marks, sliver
bands, and a silver and gold mask design on the rib. The underside of the right barrel has a “Gp” mark, “R,”“GP.,” and “772,” and the right breech plug has “Gp” and “772.” The underside of the left barrel has the same “Gp” mark followed
by “GP.” and “1827,” and the plug has “GP.” The standing breech has floral and border engraving and is marked “772.” The locks were converted from flintlock and retain the sliding safeties though they do not engage the hammers. In
place of the frizzens, they have rotating hammer stalls. Both have floral and border engraving. The locks are signed “G. Pistor” on the right and “in Schmalkalden” on the left in ornate script. The furniture features primarily elaborate scroll and
floral engraving. The trigger plate finial includes a man using his hand to shade his eyes as he peers at something in the distance. The trigger guard bow has a panel scene with a god, fallen stag, and hunting
horn. The stock has German silver wedge plates, checkering on the forend and wrist with molded borders, a sliding wood patch box, large cheek rest with raised relief carved scroll accent at the rear, and scalloped carving along the edges of the butt. Sling swivels are fitted to the bottom of the butt and the mid ramrod pipe.
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King Frederick Wilhelm III