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LOT 3347
Waters & Co. Brass Blunderbuss
Flintlock Pistol with Folding Bayonet - Serial no. 795, 50 cal., 7 1/8 inch flared round bbl., bright finish, walnut grips. John Waters is listed on page 56 of “English Gunmakers: The Birmingham and Provincial Gun Trade in the 18th and 19th Century” by Bailey and Nie as active 1766-
1788 and “Granted British Patent No. 1284 of 9 Mar. 1781 for attaching bayonets to pistols; is generally credited with the invention of the ‘spring bayonet.’” The pistol has “Patent/ No. 795” on the left side of the action indicating this is the 795th gun he produced with his spring bayonet, “Waters & Co.” on the right side, cross scepter proofs on the bottom of the barrel, “THO GILL” marked on the underside of the folding bayonet, sliding half-cock safety, a second sliding trigger that releases the bayonet which has a drum shaped attachment mechanism rather than the more simplified spring mechanisms used on later “snap bayonet” guns, side mounted ramrod, and a walnut grip. The muzzle flares to 1 inch, but the bore is smaller and measures at .50 caliber. CONDITION: Very good with pleasing bright patina on the brass, mottled gray and brown patina with light pitting on the iron, and mostly crisp markings. Grip is fine with defined edges, and some scattered light scratches and dings. Mechanically fine with a functional spring-loaded bayonet. Provenance: The Richard P. Mellon Collection. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750 LOT 3348 Fine Gold Accented Engraved Scottish Highland Style All-Metal Flintlock Belt Pistol - NSN, 48 cal., 5 1/2 inch part round bbl., bright/gold finish, metal stock. This pistol has no identifying markings, but is in keeping with other Scottish and English made “Highland” pistols from the 19th century based on the classic Scottish pistols of the 18th century. The underside of the barrel has Birmingham proofs (post-1813). The metal is engraved with fine flowing scroll engraving and border designs and was finished in fire blue with gold wash in the engraving and in the pan. The lock has a roller on the frizzen spring. The butt is the classic “ram’s horn” pattern and includes a threaded vent pick. CONDITION: Very good. The engraving is evenly worn, and there are patches of fire blue in the concealed areas and traces of gold wash in the engraving on the barrel and back strap. The balance has silver-gray patina and mild pitting. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 3349
Pair of Engraved Blake Percussion Conversion Boxlock Blunderbuss Pistols with Snap Bayonets
-A) Blake Blunderbuss Pistol - NSN,
50 cal., 5 inch part octagon bbl., bright
finish, walnut grips. These pistols were
manufactured c. 1813-1820 and later
converted to percussion in the 1830s or 1840s. They
are signed “BLAKE” on the left side and “LONDON” on the right side among
martial themed engraving and have Birmingham proofs on the bottom of
the integral barrels. The caliber is estimated
above, but the muzzles flare out to around
7/8 of an inch. The ramrods are fitted
along the right side of the barrels, and
spring loaded “snap” bayonets are fitted under
the barrels and secured at the tip by the front of the trigger guards. Pulling the
trigger guards back allows the bayonets to snap into place. The wrists have silver escutcheons.
CONDITION: Very good as period converted to percussion with dark aged patina on the brass and
silver and gray and light brown patina on the iron. The grip is very fine and has a smooth dark finish
and minor dings and scratches. Mechanically fine. B) Blake Blunderbuss Pistol - NSN, 50 cal., 5 inch part octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut grips. See “A.”
CONDITION: Very good as period converted to percussion with attractive dark aged patina on the brass and silver and light gray and brown patina on the iron. The grip is fine and has a dark oiled finish and minor dings and scratches. Mechanically fine.
LOT 3350
Pair of Silver Mounted and Engraved Boxlock Flintlock Belt Pistols by King with Screw-Off Barrels -A) King Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 58 cal., 5 1/4 inch round bbl., bright/silver finish, walnut stock. These pistols are essentially identical except that the first pistol has “KING” and the belt hook on the right side, and the second pistol has them on the left side and has “1” marked on the barrel and action at the breech on the bottom. Other similar pistols have been attributed to William King of London c. 1732-1780. The multi-stage cannon barrels are unmarked except the “1” on the second pistol, but the underside of the actions at the breech has private proofs flaking an unclear diamond shaped maker’s mark. The belt hooks have shell engraving at the rear and spire shaped finials, and the actions have martial and track line border engraving. The wrist escutcheons and pommel caps are silver. The escutcheons have masks at the top, scroll borders, and shell designs on the bottom. The pommel caps are the classic Georgian grotesque mask design popular on pistols like this. George Moller’s tiny “GDM” collection mark is by the toes. CONDITION: Very good with mottled silver-gray and dark gray patina and light pitting on the iron and attractive dark aged patina on the silver. The stock is also fine and has light scratches and marks. Mechanically fine. B) King Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 58 cal., 5 1/4 inch round bbl., bright/silver finish, walnut stock. See “A.” CONDITION: Very good with mix of light and dark gray patina and some light pitting on the iron and an attractive deep aged patina on the silver. The stock is also fine and has mild scratches and dings and a small repair on the right corner. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 3351
Classic Pair of Silver Mounted “Queen Anne” Flintlock Pistols by Willmore of London -A) Willmore Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 58 cal., 5 1/4 inch round bbl., bright/silver finish, walnut stock. Blackmore lists James Willmore as “allowed to prove guns as a ‘foreigner’, 1721- 1731.” He was challenged to produce proof of his apprenticeship and had his shop searched by the Gunmakers Co. multiple times. His son was apprenticed to him in the Gunmakers Co. in 1740, and he was also made gunmaker-in-ordinary to George II at Whitehall that year and later to George III. He was active until at least 1764. Examples of his work can be seen in the Royal Collection Trust and elsewhere. This pair of classic “Queen Anne” style pistols has turn-off, multi-stage, cannon style barrels. The actions have London proofs flanking the “crown/F” foreigner mark on the lower left sides, floral engraving, “LONDON” on top, and “I/WILLMORE” ahead of the cocks. The figured walnut stocks have silver furniture (non-hallmarked), including classic grotesque mask pommel caps, and raised carving and flats. CONDITION: Very good with mix of gray and brown patina, some softening of the signature, and aged patina on the furniture. The refinished stock is good and has some thin cracks and repairs, a slight gap at the breech, and light marks. Mechanically fine. B) Willmore Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 58 cal., 5 1/4 inch round bbl., bright/silver finish, walnut stock. See “A.” CONDITION: Very good with gray and brown patina, some light fading of the details, and aged patina on the furniture. The refinished stock is very good and is plainer than “A” and fits better and has minor dings and scratches. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
194 Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500