Page 240 - Auction84-Book1

LOT 385
Documented Cased Pair of Engraved Smith of Braintree Boxlock Percussion Belt Pistols from the von Stauffenberg Collection
-A) Smith Belt Pistol - Serial no. 42, 47 cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., brown/blue finish, walnut grips. The included documentation indicates the pair was from Schloss Jettingen and Berthold Graf Schenk von Stauffenberg when sold on September 29, 2006, and that they were formerly in the collection of Claus Graf Schenk von Stauffenberg. It is not clear when they came into the family’s collection. The latter is the famous Oberst (Colonel) Claus
von Stauffenberg who attempted to assassinate
Hitler via a bomb at the Wolf’s Lair on July 20,
1944, in Operation Valkyrie and was executed
by firing squad the following day when the plot
failed. His eldest brother Berthold Schenk Graf
von Stauffenberg was also arrested and executed
by slow strangulation. Thousands of others were
either executed or sent to concentration camps
following the attempted assassination and coup, including Oberst von Stauffenberg’s wife who survived and passed away in 2006 shortly before these pistols were sold. His son Berthold Graf Schenk von Stauffenberg (b. 1934) was also a German military officer and was the longest serving German soldier at the time of his retirement in 1994 with the rank of major general after nearly four decades in the Buneswehr.
The pistols have smoothbore Damascus barrels signed “SMITH BRAINTREE” on top and
equipped with silver blade front sights. Both pistols have Birmingham proofs on the
lower left on the barrel and frame. On the right, the first is marked “3,” and the second is marked “2.” The box lock actions have scroll engraving, notch rear sights, “42” below the bolsters, and belt hooks on the left. The grips are finely checkered and have blank wrist escutcheons and scroll engraved caps with compartments. The case has a small powder flask, ball mold marked “40,” bone container with spare nipples, an oiler, cap tin, measure, a few over-sized balls, loading/cleaning rod, jag, and a nipple wrench.
CONDITION: Very good with much of the period refurbished brown finish and distinct twist patterns along the barrel, traces of blue on the action, smooth gray and brown patinas on the balance, some minor oxidation and pitting, and generally minor age and storage related wear overall. The grip is also very good and has minor spots of wear on the otherwise crisp checkering and light
handling wear. Mechanically fine. The case and accessories are good with age and storage related wear including
fading on the lining and mild wear on the exterior.
B) Smith Belt Pistol - Serial no. 42, 47 cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., brown/blue finish, walnut grips. See “A.”
CONDITION: Very good with much of the period refinished brown finish and distinct Damascus twist patterns
along the barrel, traces of the blue finish on the action, some minor oxidation/pitting, and generally minor
overall wear. The grip is good and has a repaired crack extending down from the upper tang screw and mild
wear on the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: Claus von Stauffenberg and Berthold von Stauffenberg.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 386
Cased Pair of Engraved Simmons Screw Barrel Flintlock Pistols -A) Simmons Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 45 cal., 2 1/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, checkered walnut grips. Manufactured in the late 1700’s, these pistols are beautifully embellished with near full coverage floral scroll engraving on the locks and foliate bands at the muzzles. There are English proofs on the bottoms of the barrels and frames. Both are marked “SIMMONS” in an oval on the left, and “A” has what appears to be “79” just below the maker’s mark. They are each fitted with frizzen stalls, folding triggers, blank silver escutcheons at the top of the wrist, and a checkered grip. They are housed in an included, fitted, hardwood case with blank silver escutcheon on the lid that also holds an included powder flask, ball mold, barrel wrench, and key.
CONDITION: Good, showing mostly a bright grey patina with traces of niter blue on the frizzen stall and a few scattered patches of light surface pitting and crisp engraving. The grip is very good with a few scattered light dings and scratches and crisp checkering. Mechanically fine. B) Simmons Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 45 cal., 2 1/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. See “A”.
CONDITION: Good, showing mostly a bright grey patina with traces of nitre blue on the frizzen stall and a few scattered patches of very light surface pitting. The grip is very good with a few scattered light scratches and dings and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. The relined case is good with a few scattered hairline cracks and generally light handling/storage evidence.The accessories are fine with generally light wear. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
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