Page 183 - Auction84-Book2

LOT 1378
Pair of Engraved Alfred
Gauvain Boxlock Flintlock Muff
Pistols with Silver Inlaid Grips
-A) Gauvain Flintlock
Muff Pistol - NSN, 39
cal., 1 1/4 inch round
bbl., bright finish,
walnut grips. This beautiful pair
of muff pistols was manufactured
by Alfred Gauvain (1801-1889) early
in his career, likely in the early 1800’s.
It is also possible that
they were made by
Gauvain under the
guidance of his father-
in-law, Leonard Cramon of Bordeaux, who was also a well-known
gunmaker from 1766 until his death. The bottom of the breech on the
“B” gun is marked “GAUVAIN/GENDRE DE” (GUVAIN/SON-IN-LAW OF)
while the bottom of the breech on “A” is marked “CRAMON/A BORDEAUX” (CRAMON/IN BORDEAUX), which establishes this connection between the two. It is not entirely clear whether Gauvain apprenticed under Cramon or if this was simply a marketing strategy. The locks of the pair are each engraved with a stand of arms on the left, axes and a bow on the right, and laurel wreathes on the bottom, with the
side scenes surrounded by floral scroll, of which there are also flourishes on the frizzen. The cocks have bestial heads and there is a laurel border where the barrel meets the breach. The grips of each are inlaid with fine vine-like silver wire and blank silver escutcheons in the palm area. They are fitted with turn-off cannon barrels with a wedding band and wrench lug, folding triggers, and sliding hammer stalls on top of the locks.
CONDITION: Very good, showing mostly bright with a few scattered patches of light surface pitting or darker patina and crisp engraving overall. The grip is showing a slight warp on the right leaving a small gap with the frame, minimal light handling marks, and retaining all the silver inlay. Mechanically excellent.
B) Gauvain Flintlock Muff Pistol - NSN, 39 cal., 1 1/4 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut grips. See “A”.
CONDITION: Very good, showing mostly a bright finish with a few patches of a darker patina and a few scattered patches of light surface pitting. The grip is also very good showing some slight warping on the right leaving a small gap with the frame, a few minor dings, and retaining all the silver inlay. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1379
Pair of Engraved Liege Proofed Brass
Boxlock Flintlock Pistols
-A) Liege Proofed Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 52 cal., 5 1/4 inch part octagon bbl.,
bright finish, walnut grips. This pair of pistols features flourishes of floral engraving
on the lock plates along with an acorn on the right and bell shape on
the left. The left side of both barrels are marked with a symbol similar
to “2” and a Liege proof, with two more proofs on the bottom of the
barrels. They are each fitted with a sliding
hammer stall and a checkered grip with
carved scallops on the flats.
CONDITION: Very good, the iron showing
mostly a bright grey patina with a few
scattered patches of light surface pitting and
an attractive antique patina on the brass with some slightly softened markings.
The grip is also very good with a few minor blemishes and flat spots in the overall
crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. B) Liege Proofed Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 52 cal., 5 1/4 inch part
octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut grips. See “A”.
CONDITION: Very good, showing mostly bright grey patina on the iron and an attractive antique patina on the
brass with a few darker areas and some scattered light verdigris. The grip is also very good with a few scattered flat spots and minor blemishes in the overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 1380
Pair of Engraved All Steel John Parkes Boxlock
Flintlock Pistols -A) Parkes Flintlock Pistol - NSN,
43 cal., 1 7/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, metal grips.
Manufactured by John Parkes, who was listed as
a gunmaker in Birmingham from
1766-1788, and is known to have
marked his guns “LONDON”, as these
examples are on the right, as well as being marked “PARKES” on the
left. They each have two English proofs on the bottom of the breech
and, apart from the barrels, have near full coverage floral and border engraving. They are each fitted with turn-off cannon
barrels with multiple wedding bands.
CONDITION: Good, showing mostly a bright grey patina
with some scattered patches of light surface pitting
and some of the otherwise well-
defined markings slightly softened.
Mechanically fine.
B) Parkes Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 43
cal., 1 7/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, metal grips. See “A”.
CONDITION: Good, showing mostly a bright grey patina with some scattered patches of light surface pitting and some markings slightly softened but otherwise mostly well-defined engraving. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1381
Pair of Bass, London
Marked Brass
Boxlock Flintlock
Blunderbuss Pistols
-A) Bass Marked Flintlock Blunderbuss Pistol - NSN, 58 cal.,
5 inch part octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut grips. This pair of
attractive blunderbuss pistols is made almost entirely of brass, apart from the trigger and
guard, cock, frizzen, and hammer/frizzen stall. They are engraved with stands of arms on the
left signed “BASS” at the center and a stand of flags on the right with “LONDON” at the center.
There is simple border engraving on the remainder and a small starburst on the trigger guards. The barrels are octagonal in the breach section with a wedding band on the round section and flare at the muzzles. They are fitted with hammer/frizzen stalls on top of the locks and smooth grips. The caliber is estimated at .58 and they flare at the muzzles to approximately .80.
CONDITION: Very good, the brass showing an attractive antique patina overall and mostly a smooth grey patina on the iron with some scattered light pitting and crisp engraving/markings.
The refinished grip is good with a circular splice in the butt, some slight separation from the frame, and otherwise scattered light handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
B) Bass Marked Flintlock Blunderbuss Pistol - NSN, 58 cal., 5 inch part octagon bbl.,
bright finish, walnut grips. See “A”.
CONDITION: Very good, the brass showing an attractive antique patina overall and mostly a smooth grey patina on the iron with some scattered light pitting and crisp engraving/markings overall. The refinished grip is good with some minor dings and scratches scattered throughout and some slight separation from the frame. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
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