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LOT 3376
Desirable Westley Richards Cased Pair of Large Bore Percussion Pistols
-A) Westley Richards Pistol - Serial no. 708, 70 cal., 5 inch octagon bbl., brown/
casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. This attractive pair of pistols would have been
well-suited for a British gentleman or perhaps a military officer; though the latter
would likely have preferred pommel caps. The large smooth bores could have fired
man or horse stopping lead balls or buck and ball loads for defense while traveling.
Combined with the fixed sights these would have also made the pair candidates for use
in a duel should a man’s honor have required it. They were manufactured by Westley
Richards in the 1830s, one of the top gunmakers in English and arguably world history.
“WESTLEY RICHARDS 170 NEW BOND ST LONDON” marked on the top flat of both of
their smoothbore, Damascus barrels with brass post front sights and platinum banded
and lined breeches. The shop on New Bond Street opened in 1815. Swivel mounted
ramrods are mounted below the barrels. These were a popular feature on late muzzle
loading pistols and were especially well-suited to those using pistols on horseback since
the ramrod could not be dropped. The locks are marked “WESTLEY RICHARDS” along
the upper edge at the nose and sliding safeties. Most of the fittings aside from the
barrels have flourishes of scrollwork. The wedge and thumb plates are silver. The trigger
guard tangs are both numbered “708”. The stocks have multi-point checkering. The pair
comes in an English fitted hardwood case with a handle on top, Westley Richards trade
label with the same address as the barrels, bullet mold, small powder flask, bore rod,
screwdriver, and two spare nipples.
CONDITION: Very fine, attractive Damascus patterns with 75% original brown finish
on the barrel with brown patina on the balance. Retains 50% strong original case
colors mostly concentrated on the hammer, breech plug and barrel tang, with the lock
retaining its colors around the base of the hammer and smooth gray patina on the
balance. The trigger guard retains 40% plus of the original blue finish with brown
patina on the balance, and the ramrod entry pipe retains 20% original blue finish. The
silver has an aged patina. There is some light spotting and minor marks throughout.
Engraving and markings remain crisp throughout. The stock is also fine with some light
scratches, distinct checkering, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. Case is fine
with scattered scratches, attractive felt lining with minor wear, a complete label with
light aging, a section of the latch plate is broken, and will not close all the way due to
an absent key. B) Westley Richards Pistol - Serial no. 708, 70 cal., 5 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. Reference “A” description.
CONDITION: Very fine, attractive Damascus patterns with 75% original brown finish on the barrel with brown
patina on the balance. Retains 50% strong original case colors mostly concentrated on the hammer, breech plug and barrel tang, with the lock retaining its colors around the base of the hammer and smooth gray patina on the balance. The trigger guard retains 40% plus of the original blue finish with brown patina on the balance, and the ramrod entry pipe retains 20% original blue finish. The silver has an aged patina. There is some light spotting and minor marks throughout. Nipple has a cracked/absent section. Engraving and markings remain crisp throughout. The stock is also fine with some light scratches, distinct checkering, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3377
Cased Pair of Engraved B. Cogswell Percussion Belt Pistols -A) B. Cogswell Belt Pistol - NSN, 50 cal., 3 1/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Likely manufactured between 1842 and 1863. These
pistols feature blued full octagon barrels marked “B. COGSWELL. 224, STRAND. LONDON” with steel bead front
and notch rear sights. The casehardened boxlock actions are moderately engraved with floral scroll and border motifs with scrollwork extending onto the hammer with a fish at the top. Each pistol is fitted with a steel swivel ramrod and blued belt clip. Mounted on a finely checkered walnut grip stamped “1093” below the lower tang
and fitted with a casehardened trapdoor gripcap which also features light floral scroll engraving. Includes a green fabric lined, nine compartment case containing both pistols, two cap tins, rosewood handled screwdriver and ramrod, ball mould, lead balls, oiler, and powder flask as well as a copy of “Cogswell and Harrison: Two Centuries
of Gunmaking” by Cooley and Newton. A Cogswell trade label is affixed to the inside of the case lid.
CONDITION: Very good plus, retaining 30% original blue finish and 40% original case colors with the balance a smooth gray brown patina, some oxidation around the flash hole, and a small patch of pitting on the barrel. Grip
is very fine with crisp checkering and a few minor handling marks. Mechanically fine. Case is fine with storage and handling marks, filler wood on the front where the lock has likely been reworked, high edge wear on the interior, and damage to one of the partitions. Label is fine. B) B. Cogswell Belt Pistol - NSN, 50 cal., 3 1/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. See “A”.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 30% original blue finish and 60% original case colors with a smooth brown and gray patina on the balance. Grip is very fine with crisp checkering and a few minor handling marks. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
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