Page 229 - Auction84-Book1

NOTICE THE POMMELS ON THESE PISTOLS ARE VERY SIMILAR TO THE POMMELS ON THE COVER OF DUTCH FIREARMS BY ARNE HOFF AND ALSO ON PAGES 204 AND 205
While the silver designs are eye catching and interesting, what really sets the pistols apart are the carved antique ivory pommels which are shaped as the head of a mustachioed dragoon. They are fairly similar to the pommel on the pistol on the cover of “Dutch Firearms” by Arne Hoff and also very similar to the pairs shown on pages 204 and 205 and plate XV of the same work. These flintlock pistols are all late 17th century Maastricht. These pistols appear to have been reworked in the Victorian era, possibly in the Frederick Spitzer work shops, including by fitting these attractive pommels which may have been taken from a pair of Dutch flintlock pistols. The two pistols have some differences in some of the components, fitting, and embellishment that would not be expected on an original pair.
CONDITION: Good with aged patina on the silver and dark brown patina on the iron along with some mild oxidation and pitting. The stock is fair and has repairs in the forend and by the front of the lock, some fit issues, some thin cracks, and slivers of wire absent or coming loose. The pommel is very good and has attractive natural tones and grain, age cracks, some chips on the right side, an absent eye, and a darker aged patina on the left side. The lock has not been tested. B) Wheellock Pistol - NSN, 56 cal., 15 1/8 inch part octagon bbl., silver/blue finish, hardwood stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Good with aged patina on the silver and dark brown patina on the iron along with some mild oxidation and pitting. The stock is fair and has some cracks and repairs in the forend and underside of the midsection, and a few slivers of wire absent. The pommel is very good and has attractive natural tones and grain, age cracks, an absent eye, and a darker
aged patina on the left side. The lock has not been tested. Pistols with these distinctive carved stocks or pommels are very rarely seen outside of Europe, and many of the known examples are contained within institutional collections.
Estimate: 22,500 - 35,000
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