Page 236 - Auction84-Book1

LOT 383
Algerian Equestrian Race Prize Presentation Inscribed Cased Pair of Engraved and Finely Relief Carved Percussion Pistols from Gastinne-Renette -A) Percussion Pistol - NSN, 45 cal., 10 1/4 inch octagon bbl., brown/gray finish,
relief carved ebony stock. The ornate central escutcheon on the case lid is inscribed “Courses d’Alger. Mars 1863/
Prix des Souscripteurs/1er Prix” indicating the set was a prize at the races in Algiers in March 1863. The lack of
year and serial number markings on these target/dueling pistols suggests they were manufactured for/retailed by Gastinne-Renette rather than manufactured in their shop. The rifled barrels have bead style front sights and “Gastinne-Renette arq. de l’Empereur a Paris” signed on top. The patent breeches and upper tangs behind the notch rear sights are marked “1” (A) and “2” (B). The locks have “Gastinne/Renette” signed below the hammers, and the locks and furniture have floral scroll engraving. The stocks have coordinating relief carved floral scroll patterns with more complex overlapping patterns. “JNI” is under the barrel on the forend of the first pistol.
This marking is found on many French pistols from the era with carved ebony stocks. The inside of the case lid
has “GASTINNE-RENETTE/ARQR ORDINAIRE/de S.M. l’Empereur/A PARIS” in golden lettering, and the interior is
closely fitted to the pistols and the included mallet, loading and cleaning rods, ball mold, screwdriver, nipple
wrench, measure, small powder flask, and two containers. The lidded compartments have some balls, patches, a bore mop, and an old description of the set in French.
CONDITION: Very fine with 85% plus plum brown finish remaining on the barrel, mostly even French gray appearance on the other metal with some light patination and minimal minor oxidation, and general minor age and storage related wear overall. The stock is fine and has crisp carving, a few hairline cracks such as at the nose of the lock, some light scratches and marks, and light handling and storage wear. Mechanically fine. The case and accessories are very good with generally mild wear concentrated on the case exterior, compression marks and fading on the lining, and some aging and finish loss on the accessories.
B) Percussion Pistol - NSN, 45 cal., 10 1/4 inch octagon bbl., brown/gray finish, ebony stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Very fine with 85% plus of the original plum brown finish remaining on the barrel, smooth French gray on most of the remaining surfaces, some minor oxidation, and general minor overall wear. The stock is also very fine and has crisp carving, some mild scratches and dings, and light age and handling wear. Mechanically fine.
234 Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000