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SEEKING TO OBTAIN THROUGH PURCHASE OR
TRADE:
The following
Napoleonic era British swords: 1796 Heavy Cavalry Officers and
Troopers swords; 1796 Light Cavalry Officers swords; 1803 Infantry
Officers swords; Scottish Officers swords; any officers sword with
Regimental device, markings, etc., on hilt or blade. Naval officers
swords, dirks. (all the above must be in VG to fine or better
condition and with scabbards, no restoration) Good examples of
British military firearms pre-1898.
WANTED: Fine British Military Firearms, Pre-1898; also, British Military and Naval swords, Enlisted and Officer's Patterns. Also, Scottish and British Basket-Hilted Swords.
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736) French St. Denis Arsenal Modified Mauser Model 1871 to 6.5 Daudeteau. 31 1/2" barrel, 6.5 mm Daudeteau cal., St. Denis arsenal markings over chamber. Mauser M-1871 action dated 1880 with all-matching #'s - St. Denis obviously took pains to keep the actions matching. Stock stamped with issue markings " 1 / 9 ". Although using some of the Mauser furniture (triggerguard and buttplate) the stock was made at St. Denis, as were the French-style barrel bands, sights, barrel, etc. Fine condition overall: bore is fine with clear sharp rifling; barrel and action retain 90% original St. Denis blue; solid stock is fine never refinished with nice "feathered" surface. Original brass-tipped cleaning/ clearing rod, correct sling swivels and French sling (Mauser swivel on triggerguard removed when converted). Muzzle and front band set up to accept the Lebel 1886 needle bayonet or one very similar to it. I understand these single-shot rifles were sold to Uruguay. The St. Denis manufactured 6.5 mm Daudeteau repeating bolt-action rifles were sold to El Salvador, Portugal and Uruguay.
$850
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777) French Model 1822 Naval Pistol, Arsenal Modified to Percussion. 8", .69 cal. rifled and sighted barrel, dated 1828, # "3801" on right breech, tang engraved "Mle 1822 / Bis" , left breech "CdE 17, 6 A" . Modified flintlock cleaned of its original markings at time of conversion (tho can be made out as "Mre Rle Maubeuge"). All brass furniture bears same arsenal poincon of "crown over A" plus other poincons, buttcap also stamped with small anchor.
The form of the sideplate differs from the cavalry model in having an extension that a stud on the belthook fits into. Both lock screws (sidenails) are stamped with an "A". Original ramrod with poincons. Barrel, fore-end cap and stock matching # "3801". Condition overall is Ex.+, retains all original smooth arsenal polish, bore is bright with sharp rifling, ex. tight working order, like new, stock is crisp and ex. as arsenal reconditioned when rifled and put in percussion.
Complete and 100% original. The 1822 pistol, Cavalry or Marine, had but a few very minor modifications that differentiated it from the basic Model 1816. Whether Model 1816 or 1822, the "Pistolet de Marine" removed the cavalry lanyard ring from the buttcap, fitted a steel belt hook ("un crochet de ceinture en acier") on the "contre-platine" (counter-lock area), and stamped an anchor on the buttcap ("Calotte timbree en creux d'une ancre"). From M. Baldet, "Les Armes a Feu", p.117. A scarce French Naval pistol, the smaller, later back-action percussion models being much more common.
$1,575 Reduced to $1,400
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800) US Peace Flask by N.P.Ames. Overall length 9 1/2". Top marked "N.P.AMES", "1844" and insector's initials "JH". Copper body stamped "H". VG+ condition, usual minor scratches, two small dents that are barely noticable, seams intact, spring also intact. Spout will not adjust.
$575
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806) A Fine Cased English Pepperbox. 3 3/4" six-shot barrel cluster, London view and proofmarks, finely engraved muzzles, .42 cal. Frame with same fine quality engraving, oval panel left side with smith's name "J - KEW / LOUTH".
Sliding thumb safety engages bar hammer. Very fine checkered grip with vacant silver escutcheon, buttcap with capbox. Ex. Tight working order. Fine+ condition overall, sharp-edged metal with smooth untouched gray polished finish of faded casehardening. Grip ex., virtually no wear or dings to fine checkering, no cracks or repairs. Accessories consist of original combination mold/loading rod, patch cutter, small powder flask in fine condition marked "SYKES" . Original baize lining with some wear and stains. Case solid, has original key. A fine quality and condition pepperbox.
$3,500 Reduced to $3,250
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809) British "Lead Cutter" Sword by Wilkinson. Blade 28 1/2" long, 1 3/4" wide at hilt, etched with panels "LEAD CUTTER N. 1" and "WILKINSON / PALL MALL / LONDON" . Serial # 20395 (made 1875-76).With its heavy blade, the Lead Cutter was used as a practice arm to chop through uniformly cast lead bars. Wilkinson made four incrementaly heavier Lead Cutters, the No.4 being the heaviest. As the swordsman's strength and skill progressed, he could move up to the next weight of Cutter. Condition VG, clean blade with light stains, 4 or 5 edge nicks, markings fine and clear, iron hilt retains about 80% original paint.
$750 Reduced to $600
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824) English C.G.Bonehill 12 ga. Double. 30" barrels, stippled rib engraved "C.G.BONEHILL MAKER BIRMINGHAM"; extensive British Nitro proofs, 2 3/4" shell, left barrel stamped "FULL CHOKE". Serial # 77XX (all matching, barrels, action, forestock). Boxlock action with Greener crossbolt, double underlugs. Sliding safety on tang, "SAFE" inlaid in platinum. Checkered pistol-grip buttstock with vacant silver escutcheon, grooved horn buttplate. Condition ex.+ : perfect working order, tight lockup (no movement in barrels even with forestock removed), bores mint bright no dents, tubes retain 95% fine blue, action retains most case colors. Buttstock solid, no repairs or cracks or refinish, checkering sharp, only very minor field dings, forestock in matching fine condition. Original case with original trade label "Maker to Her Majesty's War Department" , jointed cleaning rod, german silver oil bottle.
$3,200 Reduced to $2,800
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847) French M.1866-74 Gras Infantry Rifle. 32 1/2" barrel with various arsenal poincons, "1874 S 79" (constructed as needle-fire Chassepot 1874, modified to Gras 1879), bayonet bar # AB 93866 ( matching ramrod, bolt and all bolt parts, barrel near chamber, and stock - an all-matching gun).Receiver marked "MANUFACTURE D'ARMES / CHATELLERAULT" and "Mle 1866-74" (in this case, the "74" means the Model year the Gras was adopted). Right side buttstock carries Chassepot rondel dated 1874, left side the Gras modification rondel dated Sept. 1879 above serial # AB 93866. Along with the much-modified Chassepot bolt, the Chassepot chambers were fitted with an insert to handle the 11 X 59R Gras cartridge. Condition overall is excellent - retains all fine arsenal conversion blue on barrel and receiver, bolt has light age patina and much dried grease (easily cleaned). Bore bright and sharp as new. Ex. Working order. Stock solid, almost no dings, no cracks or repairs, never touched with deep clear conversion markings. Finding these much-used rifles in such great condition is getting hard these days - and moreover, many were converted to 8mm Lebel.
$1,150 Reduced to $900
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885) British Boxlock Flint Pocket Pistol by T. Richards. 1 1/2" , .48 cal. turn-off barrel. Frame engraved with trophies of arms, "LONDON" and "THEOs RICHARDS" (Theophilus Richards, uncle of Westley Richards).
Birmingham proofs. Sliding safety locks cock and frizzen. Folding trigger. Solid grip with silver escutcheon.
Ex. working order and fine overall condition. A good, and well-made example.
$675 Reduced to $550
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910) Cased English Pepperbox. 3", .34 cal., 6-shot barrel group with Birmingham proofs. Engraved german silver frame. Fine checkered grips in ex. condition. Ex. tight working order, smooth sharp-edged metal. Fine condition case with original lining and accessories; flask has two minor dents on one side.
$2,650 Reduced to $2,400
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912) Cased English Baker's Patent Revolver. 5 1/8" oct. barrel with Birmingham proofs, numbered "37" , .42 cal. with polygroove rifling. Six-chambered cylinder wth Bir. proofs. Lightly engraved frame marked "T.K. BAKER / LONDON", the single-action hammer ("lever cock" as Baker called it) marked "BAKER'S PATENT". Left side frame with sliding safety. Finely checkered grips in ex. cond. Engraved backstrap stamped "No. 1227". Barrel and cylinder retain about 70 - 80% original blue, thinning in places. Case retains original lining and fine maker's label with instructions for use, illustrating this exact model. Fine flask with no dents.
$3,000 Reduced to $2,600
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952) A Large Continental 19th Century Crossbow. Width of steel bowstave 29"; overall length of stock 39". Fitted at front with heavy-duty pivot slot for goats-foot type spanning lever, plus windage adjustable foresight. Swiss type elevating rearsight. Spring-loaded bowstring release hook pops up when trigger is pulled. Deep mustard patina on brass t.g., buttplate, and other furniture (very attractive if polished). Solid, uncleaned, massive stock with cheekrest, no cracks, damage or repairs. Bowstring is a thin replacement for appearance only; correct string would be 3/8" thick at least. Action appears to be in fine working order. A good 19th century crossbow, probably Flemish or Swiss and capable of either target or hunting applications.
$1,600
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980) A Large Greener (or Greener-type) Whaling Gun circa 1860. 36" long barrel, 3 1/2" wide at breech, approx. 1 3/4" bore. Brass action with hinged lid (rear tip of lid broken off), single large hammer fired by lanyard that passes through hole to underside of stock. Solid stock with reinforcing straps on handle/grip; brass plates at swivel bolt hole. Length overall 56" ; weight 75 lbs. No visible markings, barrel has uniform light pitting overall. Percussion lock appears to be in working order, has a powerful mainspring. I have not pulled it back to full cock for fear the original (and very tender) rope lanyard would tear apart rather than operate the sear. This action does not have the double nipples said to be a feature of Greener's guns. Whether this is a Greener or perhaps one of the very similar single-barrel guns made by Cordes & Rechten of Bremerhaven, Germany, circa 1856, I cannot say. In any event, it is a completely original c. 1860 whaling swivel cannon. $10,000.00
PS: I know of one website where an original Greener harpoon alone is priced at $5550.00 . Incidentally, there is another site which provides quite good looking reproduction harpoons forged with the correct slotted shank with ring, at reasonable prices.
$10,000 Reduced to $8,000
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996) Merwin Hulbert Pocket Army Revolver. 7" barrel marked on top "MERWIN HULBERT & Co NEW YORK USA Pat.Jan.24, Apr.21, Dec.16. 74. Aug.3.75. July 11.76. Apr.17.77. Pat's Mar.6.77." and on side "THE HOPKINS & ALLEN MANUFACTURING Co. NORWICH CONN. USA." .
Matching serial # 9006 on barrel, cylinder, and frame. Frame marked on right side "MERWIN HULBERT & Co. N.Y. / POCKET ARMY" and on left side "CALIBRE WINCHESTER 1873" (44-40). Original hard rubber grips in fine condition, no cracks or repairs. Spring-loaded folding hammer spur. This Pocket Army would have left the factory as a two-barrel set, but the short matching numbered barrel is now lost. The short barrel and folding hammer spur made this a truly useful no-snag undercover gun that could be fired with accuracy in the single-action mode, especially if the longer barrel was installed. Ex. working order double or single action, positive tight indexing, VG+ bore with strong rifling. Retains 35-40% original nickel that thins almost imperceptibly into smooth thinning nickel / steel finish.
$2,250
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1014) Belgian Flint Military Type Pistol. 8" barrel, .67 cal., Liege proof. Solid stock with brass furniture in the English dragoon style circa 1800.
Lock resembles the Austrian cavalry pistol pattern of the same era. It is original to this pistol, and in ex. Tight working order. VG+ condition overall.
$1,200
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1022) The "Salisbury" Eaglehead Falchion. 31" long, 2 1/2" wide slightly curved blade, heavy and stiff, remains of leather washer at shoulders. The iron (or mild steel) tang and shoulders have been scarf-welded to the higher carbon blade - a common technique of blade construction in the 18th and early 19th century (and earlier) employing an overlapping weld that greatly lessened the chance that the less-brittle tang would snap under hard usage. This weld was, of course, originally invisible when the blade was new and polished, but the differing rates of aging, patina formation and/or pitting, reveals it on many old blades today. The high quality of the blade's forging and grinding cannot be overstated. It is fully the equal of an Ames or Starr blade for fine symmetry of line, uniformity of taper, evenness of surface, etc.
The massive brass cross-guard and oversized eaglehead have a deep matching patina. The wood grip is old, probably original (think of the plain wood grips on many American swords of the 18th and early 19th century). Weight is 5.2 lbs, width of cross-guard is 9", overall length is 39 3/4".
Some years ago, the buyer of this sword was told that it came from the stock of an old Salibury, Ct., outfitter whose origins dated to the early 19th century and that had closed over 100 years ago (and was located two blocks from the famous Holley knife factory, opened in 1844). This, coupled with the size of the sword, has led myself and others who have seen it to believe it is a display sword, created during the era of the eaglehead sword to advertise the retailer's wares, and fabricated just as well as its smaller brethern. Shown with a Colt 1860 Army for size comparison.
$1,700 Reduced to $1,500
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1031) Cased English .380 CF Revolver circa Late 1860's. 4 1/8" oct. barrel with sighting flat engraved with Scottish retailer's name "McDUGGAN GLASGOW" , stamped "44" on left side (perhaps a registration #). Plunger-type ejector rod. 5-shot cylinder with Birmingham proofs. Engraved frame with hinged loading gate, hammer block spring left side. Double-action only. Checkered wood grips in ex.+ condition. Fine working order, tight indexing, bright mint bore with deep rifling, retains about 90% original silver plating. In its original case with fine original lining and original g.s. oil bottle, cleaning rod with ebony finial, and key (it works). Also contains an old period tag with ink inscription "1002 Silver Plate 5 shot Central Fire Breech Loading Revolver" on one side, the other same inventory # 1002 plus some retailer's or gunsmith's code (pricing?). Three period .380 cartridges remain, one primer dented and probably the other two inert now also. They fit the chambers perfectly.
This EXACT gun & case by Mcduggan was made the subject of an aricle by Paul Lederer in "Arms Collecting", Col. 29, No. 4, pp 132-33. The writer produced convincing evidence that it is a very early .380 revolver, made between 1867 & 1868 - for a cartridge that was first manufactured in 1867.
$2,400 Reduced to $2,000
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1044) Iron Ship's Cannon, English or Possibly American, circa 1800. 2" bore, 35" overall length, weight approx. 180 lbs. Too big for a swivel gun, but close to about the smallest type of carriage-mounted deck artillery. Comes with a 50 year old wood display mount. Some minor chipping damage at muzzle. The relatively light pitting overall that shows through the old flaking black paint suggests this gun was not an underwater find, but spent much of its later life on outdoor display - many old-time collectors used to do this before theft became such a problem. A screw hole behind the vent indicates it may once have been fired by a flint cannon lock. When I purchased the gun in Georgia several years ago, I was told it was long in the collection of a deceased gentleman (whose name I cannot recall, though the seller seemed to think I would recognize it), who had found it in Charleston, S.C. Considering that Charleston was an important port (once blockaded by Blackbeard!) long before this gun was cast, such a provenance seems credible.
$3,200
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1049) British Pattern 1907 SMLE Bayonet. 17" blade with numerous inspectors' stamps, maker "ANDERSON" , dated "10.15" (Oct. 1915).
Leather scabbard, steel mounts. VG+ o.a.
$65
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1062) A Levaux Patent Revolver Retailed by W. Haw. 5" oct. barrel, .380 cal., engraved "H. HAW" on topstrap, Birmingham proofs, # 10628, stamped "ACIER FONDU" ( "fluid steel" , a superior steel-making process at the time), "D.D. LEVAUX / Bte" (patent). 6-shot cylinder with Birmingham proofs, letter "S" in circle stamped on front. Frame with Birmingham proof. Fine checkered wood grips, ex. condition. Hinged barrel with automatic extractor. Spur barrel release above hammer. Pollard's "History of Firearms" records the French maker Levaux making this model in .450 and .380. Ex. tight working order and indexing, ex. bright bore with sharp rifling. Retains 50-60% original good blue, balance drifted to smooth plum. Sharp edged metal overall. Interesting gun in nice condition.
$1,150 Reduced to $975
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1100) US Model 1816 North Pistol. 9 1/16" barrel, .54 cal., deeply stamped "P / US" and "J". Lock marked with second type markings "S.NORTH / U eagle S / MIDLtn CONN". Good working order. Solid, uncleaned stock with nice patina and some "feathering", visible oval cartouche. Ramrod not original but obviously carved and used during gun's working life. Age patina over light pitting covers most metal, barrel markings deep and clear, lock markings a bit weak though all there (and this was true of many 1816's even when they were new), the assembly mark of a small "H" and a dot punchmark are found on the lock side screws, tang and butt screws, various parts such as tang, buttcap, sideplate, pan, etc. Completely original, no replacement parts (except ramrod as noted), no repairs.
$1,600
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1118) Indian Kirach, 18th Century. Broad, 31 3/4" incurving blade with 8" false edge, stamped with two armourers' marks. The elongated wavy patterns of the blade's welded damascus can be seen on its surface. Tulwar hilt with two silver bosses, traces of a checkerboard pattern of Koftgari remain. The kirach was used mostly by the Marathas of southern India. Overall the sword shows wear and use; the powerful blade and obvious age give it character and command respect.
$425
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1124) English Hanger circa 1690-1700 of a Type Favoured by Naval Officers. 19 1/2" curved flat blade with 6" false edge, stamped both sides with King's Head mark. Brass mounted hilt with relief decoration, original staghorn grip. VG condition overall, blade generally smooth with patches of light and medium pitting, bladesmith's marks deeply stamped. The raised decorative elements of the hilt are in fine condition, sharper and less-worn than most hilts of this type. Many period portraits clearly show senior Royal Navy officers holding or wearing this type. P.G.W. Annis, in "Naval Swords", p.24, illustrates a virtually identical sword with 19" blade stamped with same king's head mark.
$850
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1134) Fine Belgian Pin-Fire Pepperbox. 2", 6-shot 7mm cal. barrel cluster, fluted and engraved. Liege proof. Engraved frame with hinged loading gate, folding trigger, original ejector rod threads into bottom of grip. Attractive burl wood grips ex. condition, no cracks or repairs. Ex. tight working order. Barrels retain all original fine blue; cylinder pin its straw color; frame has most original "in the white" polish. An ex.+ example.
$1,000
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1135) Tranter Patent No.1 Sheath Trigger .230 Revolver. 2 1/4" oct. barrel marked by retailer "Jas BEATTIE LONDON", #2131, Birmingham proofs, assembly # 51. Finely engraved brass frame stamped "TRANTER'S / PATENT / 1848"; "WT" stamped on front of frame. Three-ring knurled cylinder with Birmingham proofs, assembly # 51, 7-shot .230 RF calibre. Fine tight working order, cylinder retains thinning original blue; ex. grips have most original varnish, no cracks or repairs. A nice, early Tranter in fine condition. See Black, Guerin and Michaud "Tranter Cartridge Firearms", pp. 18-19 for a virtually identical example.
$775
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1140) Cased Pair British Swivel Breech Pistols by Needler, Hull. 3 3/4" double barrels with Bir. proofs. Engraved side hammer actions, tops engraved "NEEDLER / HULL" . Ex. crisp working order. Ex.+ grips with extremely fine checkering showing almost no wear, hinged cap boxes in buttcaps. Retains some original blue on barrels (fading to plum) and much on trigger guards. Smooth metal overall with sharp edges, crisp markings and engraving. Fine solid case with original maker's trade label and lining in fine condition. Desirable Sykes flask in fine condition with compartments for caps and balls.
$4,000
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1144) Fine Quality Silver Mounted Arab Jambiya. Broad, curved 6 1/2" blade with central re-inforcing rib. Silver mounted horn grip of traditional African source. Extensively silver mounted scabbard with green baize front and leather back. Blade is bright and sharp; silver is in ex. condition, and of fine workmanship. S.E. Arabian origin, late 19th/early 20th century.
$1,250
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1150) English Side-Hammer Pocket Pistol. 3", .44 cal. turn-off rifled barrel w/Bir. proof. Engraved frame marked "LEWIS & TOMES / LONDON"; Bir. proof. Checkered grip with german silver escutcheon, fine+ cond. Smooth metal o.a., fine tight working order, slight chip out of hammer nose, scarcely noticable. The firm of Lewis & Tomes was formed by Lewis from England and Tomes of New York c. 1819, to supply US military goods, Army, Militia and Navy buttons, etc., through to the end of the Civil War.
$475
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1161) S&W .38 Single Action First Model "Baby Russian". 3 1/4" barrel marked with full S&W address, patent dates to 1871. Serial # 23022 (matching # on cylinder rear face). Original ex.+ hard rubber grips, no cracks or chips. Ex. like new working order, retains 98% ex. original nickel finish, perfect screw-heads, VG bore shows some frosting but nothing serious. Naturally, all metal edges and markings are as crisp as new.
$1,200
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1164) Scottish Dirk, Silver Mounted, Mid-Late Victorian Era. 11 1/4" dirk blade with scalloped back. Ebonized wood grip with basketweave carving, silver bezel enclosing cairngorm crystal, silver shield with owner's monogram. Scabbard with silver mounts with chiseled relief thistles, knife and fork with silver ensuite mounts and cairngorm crystals matching pommel, original leather covering in fine condition. Overall fine condition, blade bright with most original polish. An attractive Victorian dirk.
$2,000
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1167) Pair of English Brass Pocket Pistols by Sharpe c. 1800. 2 3/4" , .42 cal. turn-off barrels. Frames engraved "SHARPE" and "LONDON", Bir. proofs, maker's stamp in cartouche of a bird (?) or fleur de lys
under "4" ; initials "I x S" (John Sharpe). One pistol marked "1" on barrel and frame to properly mate it. Ex. crisp working order, all markings sharp and clear. Fine+ solid grips never refinished, very tiny piece ( 1/8" ) chipped at lower frame on one pistol. Sharpe specialized in arms for the American market, producing many flintlock brass-barrel full-stock pistols. Attractive, well-marked and in fine o.a. condition.
$1,850
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1177) US Starr 1812/13 Cavalry Sabre. 34" blade marked "P / L.S. / N.STARR / US" (LS = inspector Luther Sage). Iron guard stamped "P", grip retains 90% original leather; What resembels leather worn through to wood on left side is actually good leather that has lost some dye color. Fine scabbard retains most orig. black paint, has only two minor dents (barely noticable). Blade smooth, light age patina, no pitting, deep clear markings. A good example, and considerably above average.
$1,250
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1178) A Ketland Flint Pistol for the American Market. 9", .60 cal. swamped brass barrel marked "LONDON" , Birmingham proofs above and below a maker's stamp in cartouche (which looks remarkably like the fleur-de-lys stamp on the Sharpe pocket pistols # 1167 this list. Research needed here...). Lock marked
"T. / KETLAND / & Co". Solid, uncleaned fine stock, no cracks or repairs, brass mounts with light engraving. Original rammer. Ex. tight working order, fine+ condition overall, an attractive pistol sold in Ketland's Philadelphia outlet, of a type much favoured by American Militia officers.
$1,700
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1180) Cased French Pinfire Revolver. 2 3/4" barrel, 7mm pinfire cal. Full-fluted cylinder. Floral engraving on frame, cylinder, muzzle. Genuine ivory grips mint, except for thin, short line crack above and below right grip screw washer (show me any 150 year old ivory grips that don't have similar shrinkage line cracks). Metal retains 100% perfect original nickel finish, mint. Ex. tight working order. Fine red velvet lined case, fine catch, hinges and leather covering. Case stamped "VELOCE CLUB ROUENNAIS" (Cycle Club of Rouen, France). Impossible to improve on condition.
$2,000
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1183) A Scarce British Flintlock Customs Pistol. 8" , .56 cal., brass barrel w/London proofs, engraved "CUSTOMS". Lock w/roller frizzen spring, maker "BARNETT". Fine uncleaned stock, just minor dings, never cleaned, twin key-fastened barrel, engraved brass mounts. Ex.tight working order. Original rammer. Note that this is not a cheaply made pistol. A fine, untouched example. Barnett "....under Royal Government contract, made flintlock musketoons and pistols for the Revenue Customs Service" (Carey, "English, Irish and Scottish Firearms Makers", p.7). This pistol dates before 1800, at which date the firm became Barnett & Son.
$2,200
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1184) British Customs Percussion Pistol. 6" , .65 cal. barrel w/Government proofs, Broad Arrows, etc. Bolted lock, Crown over VR, lock inspector's stamp, "TOWER". Fine stock, uncleaned, w/Broad Arrow over "BO", inspectors' stamps in wrist. A nice honest pistol in all respects, and, I believe, one of the earliest British percussion service arms, if not in fact the earliest.
$1,250
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1189) British Officer's State Sword of the 1st Life Guards, Pattern 1834, Made 1887. 38 3/4" blade etched on reverse w/Crown over Royal Cypher, Prince of Wales Plumes over "BY APPOINTMENT" ; "HENRY / WILKINSON / PALL MALL / LONDON" ; numbered on back 28229 (made 1887). Obverse etched w/Crown over Belt of the Order of the Garter, battle honours: "DETTINGEN, PENINSULA, WATERLOO, EGYPT 1882, TEL-EL-KEBIR", "HW" proofmark. Hilt with brass ornamentation of regulation pattern "L G 1". Original shagreen grips and silver wire wrap in fine condition, orig. buff leather sword knot. Hilt retains nearly all original nickel in ex. condition with just extremely minor small area rust freckling inside surface of guard where the buff leather liner (missing) would have trapped moisture. Scabbard with regulation brass mounts, ex. original nickel finish with two very small dents, lower edges with minor spur and stirrup nicks, wear to bottom of drag. Blade fine, bright and clean, has been burnished during its working life (the ceremonial use of these state swords required they be kept well polished) but etching is deep, clear, and strong except for wear to the Wilkinson address which is all still visible but more worn than rest of etching. Very slight (and I mean very slight) traces of pitting to extreme point of blade due to the drag being worn clear through on one side of its bottom and allowing damp to enter. An impressive sword, intended for both dress and undress (combat) use, and the pattern ultimately chosen for the Royal Horse Guards and 2nd Life Guards (with appropriate regimental designs on hilts), comprising the Household Cavalry.
$2,500
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1196) A Fine and Important British Police Pistol c. 1793. 8 1/4" swamped brass barrel, .60 cal., London proofs, engraved "LONDON" and "No. 5". Lock marked "W.PARKER", has roller frizzen spring. Brass mounted solid stock in fine+ condition, no cracks or repairs, never cleaned, retains most original varnish, sideplate engraved "PUBLIC OFFICE Gt MARLBRO St." . Original rammer. Ex. tight working order, fine crisp condition overall, all markings sharp and clear. A well-made pistol in fine all-original condition.
By an Act of Parliament in 1792, seven (one source says eight) "Public Offices" were set up in London. Each of these Public/Police Offices was provided with 8 Constables and 3 Justices. From 1792, these Offices purchased pistols, truncheons and cutlasses from several suppliers, though by about 1803, William Parker appears to have become the principal supplier. One of the Offices was established at # 21, Great Marlborough St., surviving to this day as a combination police/court building built in 1913 over #'s 21, 20 and 19. When Sir Robert Peel was able to found the Metropolitan Police Force in 1829, taking over these Public Offices, Police Orders actually stippulated that William Parker be present to distribute equipment at the Inagural Parade on Sept.29, 1829.
$3,500
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1200) Royal Navy Midshipman's Dirk or Hanger, circa 1830-40. Curved, plain, stiff single-fuller blade 18" .
Brass mounted hilt with re-curving quillons, lion mask pommel, ribbed bone grip. Blade with light pitting overall, fine hilt with solid grip. No scabbard. Identical to Sword # 327, plate 6, May & Annis, Swords For Sea Service.
$550
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1203) French M-1866 Chassepot. 31 1/2" barrel with date 1871, serial # L 93559, various poincons, sight ladder retains most original blue. Receiver marked "St. ETIENNE Mle 1866". Solid fine+ stock with almost no dings, deep clear markings, never cleaned, rondel dated 1871, # L 93559 ( all matching #'s - barrel, bayonet bar, ramrod, bolt, bolt cocking piece, stock). Smooth "in the white" metal, crisp clear markings over all wood and metal, ex. tight working order, bore mint. Retains needle, rubber gas seal washer removed ( no real loss, they're rock-hard with age anyway). A very fine Chassepot.
$1,200
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1209) Webley "WG" Army Model with Boer War Provenance. 6" barrel marked "ARMY & NAVY CSL";
".450/.476" and "WG ARMY MODEL". Frame serial # 10374 (barrel and cylinder numbered 374); "WEBLEY PATENTS" and stamped with Winged Bullet. Original vulcanite grips in fine+ condition, no chips, cracks or repairs, showing only minor wear. Ex. tight working order, like new, the "WG" model having probably the most silky-smooth, crisp action of any revolver, fine bright bore, gun retains about 80% original fine blue with scattered patches of surface corrosion.
The accompanying copy of the original Army & Navy CSL ledger for "WG" Webley sales shows # 10374 was sold to "Graham CNA Esq." on May 20, 1898. This gentleman was Charles Noel Andrews Graham, born 1879, commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant (from Militia) in the 3/Northumberland Fusiliers March 7, 1900. Lt. Graham was "dangerously wounded" near Koornfontein, South Africa, on August 28/29 (sic), 1901, from which wounds he died on Oct. 13 of that year. It is recorded that the young officer insisted one of his wounded men be carried from the field before himself.
$1,800
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1210) British 2nd Life Guards Officers Sword, for Dress and Undress. 39" hatchet-point blade finely etched with maker's name "H. POOLE & Co / 32 SAVILLE ROW / & 4 / OLD BURLINGTON St / LONDON". Brass 4-bar hilt elaborately chased with scrolls, wings, lightning bolts, flaming grenades, etc. Grip retains original shagreen covering and twisted brass wire wrap. Original buff leather throat washer. Undented steel scabbard in fine condition, regulation pattern three brass mounts. See Robson, "Swords of the British Army", Revised Edition, p.132, plates 117, 118. A rare sword in ex. condition, blade retaining 90%+ original polish the fine quality etching sharp as new.
$3,400
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1211) Royal Navy Midshipmans Dirk, Early 19th Century. 13" curved, stiff blade etched with typical tropies of arms, traces of original blue and gilding, some areas of corrosion. Brass hilt with recurving quillons, both langets cast and chased with oval relief of seated Britannia. Figure and background retain some traces of silvering used to highlight the motif - no sign of silvering anywhere else on dirk. Checkered grip of genuine ivory in ex. condition except for small chip at edge of pommel. Missing chain between quillon and pommel.
Brass mounted leather scabbard in fine condition, no dents on mounts, good solid stiff leather with no repairs, intact stitching.
$1,250
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1212) Freeman's / Hoard's Armory Revolver. 7 1/2" barrel, .44 cal., numbered 1818. Frame number 1818, top strap marked "FREEMAN'S PAT DECr 9 1862 / HOARD'S ARMORY. WATERTOWN. N.Y" . All matching numbers 1818 on frame, barrel, cylinder, cylinder pin, loading lever. Ex. like new working order; bore ex.+ near mint bright with sharp rifling; perfect nipples; hammer shows case colors; gun retains 75% overall original bright blue. Perfect unbuggered screwheads. Grips are ex.+ with virtually no dings and an untouched "feathered" surface; nice crisp lower edges - such flared grips as the Freeman's or Rogers & Spencer were especially vulnerable to chipping. Most unusual on a Freeman's revolver is the completely perfect, unmolested cylinder pin removal latch. Exactly how this latch worked seems to have eluded many owners who then naturally applied hammers, screwdrivers or other appropriate instruments to force what they could not figure out. A complete and 100% original revolver in fine+ to near ex. condition.
$4,400
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1213) English Flint Pistol with Birmingham Hallmarks for 1780. 6" cannon-mouth barrel .58 cal., 12 3/4" overall length. Barrel and frame numbered "1" ( # 1 of a pair); frame engraved "WELCH" (John Welch, Birmingham, worked 1766-93). Proofmarks in oval cartouches of crowned P and V. Fine solid wood grip with silver wire inlay (slight losses to wire, but still 90% intact), no cracks or repairs, grotesque silver mask cap with hallmarks for 1780. Ex. tight working order, trigger guard slides forward to act as safety at half cock, fine clear engraving and crisp edged metal overall. All original parts, no restoration, part of the lower threaded end of the top-jaw screw broken off, but enough threads remain to securely hold upper jaw in place.
A good-sized and well made pistol of a type often purchased by British officers.
$2,500
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1214) Belgian Brass Flint Pistol with Spring Bayonet c. 1800. 4" oct. barrel, .52 cal., cannon muzzle with spring bayonet, Liege proof. Tang mounted thumb safety. Grip in ex. condition, crisp edges, retains all original varnish. Ex. like new working order, steel parts retain original polish under light patina, sharp-edged metal overall. Although a plain, unadorned gun, it is well made and in unusually fine untouched condition.
It has seen little use and no abuse.
$900
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1216) British Pattern 1856 Yataghan Bayonet. 23" blade, "Crown over VR", various Enfield inspectors' stamps. VG+ grips, pommel with unit markings "97" and "90.27". Leather scabbard in fine condition, seam intact, no breaks or repairs, fine iron mounts. Blade fine+ to ex. condition, retains most original polish. A crisp example.
$300
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1218) Colt Model 1877 .41 "Thunderer" Revolver. 4 1/2" , .41 cal. barrel with correct Colt two line address, etched in panel "COLT DA .41". Frame with 3-line patents. All matching #'s 64617. Original hard rubber grips in fine condition, no chips cracks or repairs. Ex. tight working order, bore fine with sharp rifling. VG+ overall condition, smooth metal retains about 10% bright original blue in areas. Factory letter states # 64617 shipped Nov.20, 1888 to Hartley & Graham, NY.
$1,150
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1219) Webley Mk.I British Issue Revolver. 4", .455 cal. barrel, inspectors' marks, "WD", Broad Arrow. Original vulcanite grips in ex. condition, no chips cracks or repairs. Matching #'s frame, barrel, cylinder. Ex. tight working order, bright sharp bore like new. Retains 90% original fine blue. Top strap marked with large Broad Arrow - perhaps this gun eventually ended up in some distant part of the Empire where thefts from Stores were frequent. No import markings, or re-proofing, not converted to .45 ACP. A nice sharp original Mk.I.
$1,200
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1220) NWMP Enfield Mk.II Revolver. 5 3/4", .476 cal. barrel. Frame marked "Crown / VR / ENFIELD / 1884 / II" ; double-struck Broad Arrow (these were sold out of Stores to the NWMP), Enfield inspector's stamp. Solid grip with illegible but recognizable 3-line marking NWMP / number / CANADA. Good working order, good indexing, sharp bright bore, smooth metal with much original blue blending into plum / steel grey. Like many of these NWMP Enfields, this example has the mixed numbers resulting from the Force's need to cannibalize damaged or worn revolvers to maintain enough in the field during the 22 years of the Enfield's service in Canada ( bear in mind that the British military rejected the Enfield as an abject failure within 5 years of its introduction, adopting the Webley Mk.I in 1887 - the NWMP were not so fortunate). The barrel is # A1924; the frame # A2299; the cylinder # 2046. Each of these three numbers appears in Klancher's list of NWMP Enfields. The unmistakable consistency of wear and patina overall proves this revolver served in the field with the components as we see them today.
$2,000 Reduced to $1,600
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1221) Imperial Austro-Hungarian Issue Model 1870 Gasser Revolver. 7 1/4" barrel, 11.2mm Fruwirth/Werndle Carbine cal., breech stamped with Austrian double-headed eagle, date "871" (1871 in Austrian practice), "L.GASSER / WIEN", serial # 25438 (matching on barrel, frame, cylinder, ejector rod).
Frame has previous unit markings canceled in Germanic style with cross-hatching, new unit markings "9 TD" with the gun # 164 canceled and re-numbered 105. Fine working order, fine bright bore with sharp rifling, smooth light age patina overall. Original checkered wood grips solid, no cracks or repairs, do show some smooth service wear. Unusual to find an actual Austrian issue example.
$1,600
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1224) Imperial German Model 1889 Infantry Officer's Sword. 33 1/4" double-fuller blade retains 100% original mint nickel finish, trademark of two back-to-back squirrels over "CE" (logo of Carl Eickhorn & Co. of Solingen, registered 1906). Gilded german silver hilt with folding guard cast with Prussian eagle with cypher of Kaiser Wilhelm II on breast, same cypher on original wire wrapped black ribbed grip. Hilt retains original leather finger loop, and approx. 50% gilding. Steel scabbard, no dents, retains almost all original black paint.
$325
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1227) Austrian Model 1854 Palace Guard Musket (Gewehr Der K.K. Hofburgwache nach 1854). 38" barrel with date 1840 on breech and breech tang, #197 (matching on ramrod), and # "3" (probably an assembly #, for it appears on every brass part and the ramrod, some screws, the other screw heads with three punch dots). .61 cal. (15.5 mm). Lock has trace of small Austrian double headed eagle, but other markings were polished off during 1854 conversion from the Model 1840 Augustin system which nearly all these M 1840 Hofburgwache received. Ex. crisp working order. Fine+ uncleaned stock, no cracks or repairs, brass mounts have pleasing "mustard" patina, wrist bears brass shield escutcheon engraved with Crown and "F I"
(Kaiser Ferdinand I). While closely resembling the contemporary Austrian Army musket, both the caliber and overall dimensions of the Palace Guard arm are smaller. Scarce and interesting gun, completely original. A copy of xeroxed papers (in German) documenting the 1840 and 1854 versions of this gun with excellent illustrations will go to buyer.
$1,375 Reduced to $1,200
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1228) English Pinfire Revolver in Leather Case. 3 3/8" , 7mm cal. rifled barrel engraved "Wm LEECH CHELMSFORD", Birmingham proofs. Cylinder with Bir. proofs. Genuine ivory grips in perfect condition. Ex. tight working order, ex. bore. Gun retains 99% ex. nickel finish; fore sight, hammer, loading gate, folding trigger, screwheads, retain 99% original bright blue. Original leather covered wood case, lined with purple baize cloth, all in fine condition. Six pinfire rounds (2 fired, 4 undischarged) marked "7 / ELEY". A great outfit in near mint, gem-like condition.
$2,000
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1229) Connecticut Arms Co. Hammond .44 Bulldog. 4" , .44 RF rifled bore, top flat marked "CONNECTICUT ARMS & MANF'G Co NAUBUC CONN"; frame marked "PATENTED OCT.25, 1864". Ex. like-new working order, bore ex. bright with one or two tiny dark spots. Hard rubber grips like new. Barrel retains nearly all original bright blue (95%); frame retains all original case colors, even on the grip straps which on many guns will go dull grey from handling. Perfect screwheads retain all bright blue. Rates as excellent++, almost mint. The sort of gun you hesitate to touch with your sweaty paws.
$1,950
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1230) Fine Pair of Irish Flint Pistols by Fowler, Dublin. 4 1/2" , .70 cal. octagonal barrels marked "DUBLIN"
(one stamped "L-H 1025" - County Louth registration marking according to Act of Parliament Aug.22, 1843).
Locks with roller frizzen springs, water-proof pans, maker "FOWLER" (Thomas Fowler, worked 1790-1825, Dublin). Solid fine+ stocks with few minor dings, retain most original varnish, crisp edges, no cracks or repairs, horn fore end tips, iron trigger guards and rammer pipes, never cleaned, silver butt caps and escutcheons. Swivel rammers. Butt caps engraved with owner's name "EDWd McENTIRE" on one, and on the other "EDWd McENTEER" (sic) on the other. A charming touch from the days before the exacting straightjacket of modern spelling rules. Edward McEntire's initials "EME" appear on the silver escutcheons.
Crisp, tight actions in ex. working order; all markings sharp and clear, smooth metal overall - no pitting..
No restoration whatever - top jaws, jaw screws, rammers etc., all original. A fine pair of Irish "Manstoppers".
$3,000
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1232) British Issue Snider Mk.II** Infantry Rifle. Standard length 36 1/2" , .577 cal. barrel with correct Government proofs, Broad Arrow, etc. Receiver marked "II**" , "BSA & Co". Lockplate "1859 / ENFIELD" , Crown over "VR", lock inspector's stamp. Solid, uncleaned stock, no cracks or repairs, crisp edges and sharp markings, fine+ to excellent condition, marked with Enfield rondel, double-struck Broad Arrows, inspectors' marks. Buttplate tang with unit markings "V / CI / 320". Original rammer, swivels and firing pin protector. Ex. like-new working order, bore is mint, lockplate retains muted case colors, barrel retains most faded blue. A fine, complete Snider that certainly never went east of Suez.
$1,275
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1233) British India Pattern Musket by Ramsay Sutherland for New Brunswick Militia. 39 3/8" .75 cal. barrel with Birmingham proofs, barrel inspector's stamp near touch hole. Lock marked "RAMSAY / SUTHERLAND" and "LONDON". In-house Ramsay Sutherland inspectors' stamps in stock behind t.g. tang. Fine+, untouched, uncleaned solid stock, no cracks or repairs, nearly no dings at all, crisp edges and "feathered" raised-grain surface that shows very little wear. Fine brass mounts of regulation pattern. Original swivels and ramrod - every part on the gun is original. Smooth untouched age-brown patina overall, deep crisp markings, ex. like-new working order with powerful main and frizzen springs giving very positive action.
A really fine example in all-original condition.
$3,200
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1235) Japanese Flag "Hinomauru Yosegaki" (Gathered Writing). Size 29" X 24". No rips, holes or moth damage. The patriotic and well-wishing writing on these flags was typically from friends, fellow soldiers, teachers and other authority figures. The soldier carried the flag in his knapsack as a good fortune memento.
$225
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1236) Imperial Japanese Rising Sun Flag. 38" X 30". No rips, holes or any damage at all except for two small dark stains in sun. Leather gussets and tie thongs intact. Type often seen in newsreel footage tied to soldiers' rifles or in some prominent location.
$235
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1237) British Constabulary Sword c. 1840-50. 24 1/2" blade etched with scrolls and "PARKER / FIELD & SON / 233 / HOLBORN / LONDON". Brass guard and scabbard mounts. Scabbard leather is solid with intact seam, just slightly shrunken. Original wood grip missing shagreen covering, this type rarely had wire wrap, chip of wood missing near pommel on inboard side. Blade some pitting near tip, etching strong and clear.
$325
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1238) German Model 1898/05 n/A "Butcher Blade" Bayonet. 14 1/2" blade with inspectors' stamps, dated "16" under "Crown over W", maker "SIMSON & Co / SUHL". Fine+ wood grips. Ex. scabbard retains all original blue with only a few very minor dings that can scarcely be seen. Ex. blade, smooth, clean, no pitting.
$225
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1239) German Model 1898 n/A Bayonet. 20 5/8" blade with inspectors' stamps dated "crown / W / 06" , maker "ALEX COPPEL / SOLINGEN" ; reverse numbered "1057" to match "1057" stamped on all-steel scabbard. Dark, solid wood grips. These steel scabbards were made during WW I to replace the original leather scabbards that did not hold up well in the trenches. Scabbard retains much original black paint, no dents. Scarce type.
$235
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1242) British Pattern 1816 Baker Rifle Sword. 22" long, wide saw-back blade with maker "WOOLEY & / SARGANT" , inspector's stamp "Crown over 1" (as do all this pattern). All brass hilt with lion pommel in ex. condition. Blade VG+ clean smooth metal showing only small areas light pitting. This sword designed to replace the sword bayonet on those Baker rifles altered to socket bayonet. The seemingly exaggerated "P" knucklebow is in fact a functional advantage when the sword was employed as a saw - turned upside down and gripped by the rear of the knucklebow, the palm pressing against the extended, flattened and grooved lion head pommel.
$775
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1244) Third Reich Fire Dept. Junior Subordinate Rank's Dress Sidearm. 9 3/4" blade retains all plating. Ex. grips like new, hilt mounts retain all plating. Scabbard has 95% original paint with a few tiny scratches, etc.
no dents. Ex.+ overall.
$115
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1245) Third Reich Infantry Dress Bayonet. 9 3/4" plated blade mint. Hilt has operational catch, ex. grips, plated mounts very slight wear. Scabbard has original paint some scattered scratches, no dents.
$120
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1246) Third Reich Feuerwehren Senior Subordinate Rank's Dress Sidearm. 7 5/8" blade retains 95% plating in perfect condition, some darkening near throat washer. Grips ex., plated hilt mounts show ear and dulling.
Scabbard retains original paint in ex. condition, a few tiny scratches, no dents. Made by Weyersberg Kirschbaum.
$115
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1247) French Model 1874 Gras Bayonet. Made St.Etienne 1879. Ex. overall, fine clean blade, scabbard retains 99% original blue, no dents.
$125
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1249) Colonial Spanish Cup-Hilt Rapier, 17th-18th Century. 37" double-edged rapier blade with two short fullers at forte. Well-formed and good sized cup (5 3/4" by 5"), measuring 12" from one quillon tip to the other. Original dark wood grip, as is common on "Caribbean" cup-hilts. The blade is well forged and tempered, perhaps made at Oaxaca, Mexico. The metal from which the cup was hammer-formed shows the roughly parallel seams and random pock marks exactly as seen on English munitions grade armour of the Civil War era. Recent studies have revealed this characteristic appearance results from a forged iron skelp being passed at red heat through progressively closer rollers to produce a sheet of desired size and thickness, the seams coming from small welding flaws in the skelp and the pocks from small bits of the hot metal that would adhere to the rollers. Not of a quality acceptable to the wealthy or noble, but certainly serviceable and more affordable. VG+ , all-original condition overall. A no-frills but solid Colonial Spanish soldiers' rapier that yielded nothing in form or functional qualities where it mattered.
$1,500
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1252) Remington Rolling Block Model No.2 Shotgun. 32" barrel .620 at muzzle, brass bead sight, receiver ring with sighting groove. Tang marked with 2-line patent dates. Solid stocks, no cracks or repairs, virtually no wear or dings. Military swivel removed at factory and replaced with wood plug. Ex. tight action, like new, hammer and breechblock retain most original bright blue. Barrel retains 95% original blue, bore is VG, bright with scattered spots of corrosion. Receiver shows good amounts of case colors.
This the Remington Model 2 shotgun, made from unused military rifle parts and barrels, chambered for 16 ga. brass shells or 20 ga. paper. Fine+ condition.
$775
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1253) British Pattern 1803 Flank Company Officers Sword. 32" blade etched with Crown over "GR" , Royal Arms, etc. Regulation gilt brass hilt with original shagreen covered silver wire wrapped grip in ex. condition, hilt retains 99% bright gilding. Blade smooth age patina, retains gilding in etched lines, all of etched design remains clear, blade could be cleaned to fine with only small areas of light pitting. No scabbard.
$950
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1254) Enfield Pattern 1853, Second Model. 39", .577 cal. barrel with regulation sights, Government proofs (Crowns, Broad Arrows, etc.) and inspectors' stamps. Lock marked Crown over "VR", "1856 / TOWER", lock inspector's stamp. Original nipple protector. Solid stock with no repairs, almost no dings, butt stamped "WD over Broad Arrow / R / 140" , buttplate numbered 196; contractor's name "W.JONES". Inspectors' stamps in wood behind t.g. tail, brass mounts with untouched "mustard" patina. Original button head rammer with swell and inspector's mark. Lock in ex. tight working order, perfect nipple, barrel retains 95% original blue, bore bright with sharp rifling, ex.+ near mint. Original sling swivels. Like very many of these Second Models, this rifle has received a period Pimlico or Pimlico-like official refurbishing (the work has all the hallmarks of Pimlico), and has been unused since then. A fine example in all respects.
$2,250
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1255) Remington Elliot .32RF Deringer. Standard model in all respects: 3 3/8" barrel cluster, all correct standard markings. Original rosewood grips, ex. condition. Ex. tight working order (using 4 old .32RF cartridges, I tried it out - worked perfectly). Matching numbers. Retains 90%+ original nickel in fine condition. Bores average for a 19th century cartridge deringer. An excellent example in sharp condition.
$1,350
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1256) Colt Model 1877 Thunderer .41 Cal. 6" barrel, two-line address, "COLT DA .41". Three-line patent dates on frame, Rampant Colt logo. Original grips in ex. condition, show little wear, no cracks or repairs.
Gun retains 90-95% original nickel, sharp edges and markings. VG bore. Screw heads and edges of hammer (sides were polished bright in production) retain much original bright blue. Works okay if operated slowly single or double action, but cylinder rolls a bit passed index if worked fast. Needs some tinkering as do many of these 1877's. All matching numbers, 81863. A bright and crisp Colt.
$1,850
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1257) British Duelling Pistol by Wogdon. 10" round, .50 cal. barrel with full-length sighting flat engraved "WOGDON LONDON", London view and proof marks and Robert Wogdon's stamp "RW" , gold vent plug, silver foresight and wide shallow "U" backsight on standing breech. Lock engraved "WOGDON", fitted with safety bolt, ex. tight and positive working order. Fine solid uncleaned stock, no cracks or repairs just minor dings, engraved iron mounts, thin small 1/2" long chip of wood out along bottom edge of lockplate below cock (see pics). Original horn-tipped rammer with charge pulling screw. Smooth metal overall, all markings and engraving deep and clear. Completely original in all respects, zero restoration.
The round barrel and wide flats on both sides of grip indicate this to be an early Wogdon, probably 1776-78 or so, according to "The British Duelling Pistol" by John Atkinson, who, I might add, is supported by other writers in this assessment. Other than to note that Wogdon's fine pistols made his name synonymous with the duel in the British Isles, I will relate none of the fascinating lore that surrounds this maker's guns - that story is well told in countless gun books ranging from lavish coffee table tomes to extensively researched works like Atkinson mentioned above. A fine honest pistol that could serve as "the" classical Wogdon.
$2,500
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1259) British Pattern 1842 Lancers Pistol, Issued to 16th Lancers. 9", .74 cal. barrel with Ordnance proofs
(Broad Arrow, Crowns, etc.). Lockplate marked "Crown / VR / TOWER 1845" , lock inspector's mark. Fine solid uncleaned stock, no cracks or repairs, just few minor service dings, "BO" under Broad Arrow, inspectors' stamps underside wrist, buttplate engraved " 16th / L / A + 20" (Colonel's Troop). Brass furniture with mustard color patina. Trigger guard retains original lanyard swivel (usually missing). Lock in ex. crisp working order, perfect nipple, smooth uncleaned metal overall with deep clear markings.
Some time past I had another of these 16th Lancers pistols. One of the perks of a website is that individuals performing an on-line search might find the item in question on your site, notice that it sold, and ask if you want to buy another like it. In this instance, I answered yes.
100% original in fine condition, probably as good an example of this massive and scarce British pistol as one could hope to find.
$3,000
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1260) Argentine Gaucho "Criollo Facon". 11 3/4" facon blade, single-edged with 3" false edge, etched with scrolls, trophies of arms, etc., "LA ARGENTINA". German silver (or low-grade silver) hilt and scabbard in fine+ condition, decorated with repousse designs. Typical facon recurving quillons; the facon was considered primarily as a fighting knife, not an all-purpose tool. Blade etching closely resembles German work of the late 19th - early 20th century. Blade condition good, etching mostly clear, patch of pitting partly obscures maker's name on shoulder. VG+ condition overall.
$225
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1264) Indian Firangi circa Mid-17th Century. 42" European blade with double fullers, 10" false edge, faint but unmistakably typical 2-line European armourer's mark in fullers. Hilt with chiseled relief motifs, retaining some silver koftgari. Sword shows dark honest age overall, blade has minor to some medium pitting overall.
Firangi swords were a combination of the Hindu basket hilt (Khanda) with a European blade (firangi = foreigner). European blades (German, Italian, Spanish) were carried to India by the Portuguese as early as the later 16th century, where their generally superior qualities over the native product won them wide acceptance.
$750
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1265) British Pattern 1856 Mk.I Drummer's Sword. 19" blade etched with maker's name Mole, Birmingham (very faint but corresponding to the standard marking on these blades), edge of blade shoulder stamped "MOLE", opposite shoulder stamped with Crown inspector's stamp. Brass hilt with various inspectors' and unit markings, double-struck Broad Arrows. Brass mounted leather scabbard in fine condition, intact seam, no repairs. VG condition overall.
$375
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1268) British Martini-Henry Mk.IV. 33 1/4" barrel, .577-450 cal. Receiver markings very faint as result of the arsenal refinish all these Nepalese Mk.IV's received. Ex. tight working order, fine bright bore with sharp rifling. VG+ solid uncleaned stocks, buttstock with many markings including Allahabad Arsenal rondel. Original ramrod and sling swivels (rear swivel of unique Nepalese type). Original sling. Smooth blue-black metal, untouched VG+ condition overall.
$450
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1269) Merwin & Hulbert Army Model. 7" barrel, .44-40 cal. barrel marked on top "MERWIN HULBERT & Co
NEW YORK USA" followed by patent dates to Jan.9, 1883. Frame marked: "CALIBRE / WINCHESTER /
1873". Fine working order, tight barrel-to-frame lock-up. Hinged hammer spur. All matching serial # 25311 on barrel, cylinder and frame. Original grips in fine condition, no cracks or repairs. Smooth metal overall, traces of original blue finish, fine clear markings, VG bore with strong rifling.
$1,500
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1270) European (French or Belgian) Brass Cannon Barrel Pocket Pistol c.1790-1800. 4" , .50 cal. octagonal barrel with cannon muzzle stamped "R" on bottom flat. "Queen Anne" type side lock action, ex. working order. Ex. uncleaned grip, no cracks or repairs. Very crisp pistol overall, completely original.
More expensive than the typical boxlock action of its time, this pistol is a reminder that some users preferred to sight along the barrel.
$800
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1271) French First Empire Year 9 (An IX) Gendarmerie Pistol. 5", .60 cal. barrel dated 1811, tang engraved "M. AN 9" . Lock markings "MAUBEUGE / MANUFre IMP" (faint) , stamped with controller's poincon. Ex. tight working order. Fine solid uncleaned stock, no cracks or repairs, two large cartouches, all iron mounts have various inspectors' poincons. Smooth metal overall. Original rammer with charge pulling worm on end.
A nice pistol in overall fine condition.
$1,275
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1272) Scottish Pattern 1828 Claymore by Wilkinson for a Member of the Clan McKenzie. 32" d.e. blade etched with "HENRY / WILKINSON / PALL MALL / LONDON", serial # 11573 (made 1861), a family crest incorporates the linked letters "MK" for McKenzie - see below. Steel basket with original liner, original shagreen wrapped grip and wire. Blade clean and smooth with only minor light stain, all etching sharp and clear. Basket smooth age dark, not pitted. No scabbard.
Wilkinson's records (copy to buyer) state this "claymore" # 11573 was completed on "21 October 1861" and sold to "Colin Mckenzie, Esq." . A web search soon found a "Mackenzie (Late of Portmore)....on a wreath of his liveries is set a crest, a dexter arm holding a garland of laurel proper, and in an escroll above the the crest this motto Virtute et labore" - a perfect description of the crest etched on the blade. From this same source "Colin James Mackenzie of Portmore, Esq., Lord-Lieut of Co.Peebles, b. 1835, d. 1896" . The crest, name and dates fit, but I leave any further genealogical delving to others.
$875
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1273) Scottish Sgian Dubh. 3" blade with scalloped back. Overall length 8". Ebony hilt with exquisite carving of thistle plant surrounded by basket-weave, cairngorm pommel (slight chip to stone). Silver mounted grip and scabbard with Celtic interlace engraving, each of the four mounts with sterling hallmarks, the locket with full Birmingham marks for 1933 and maker's initials "J.C.& S." (J.Christie & Son, Edinburgh). Blade with areas of minor pitting. An elegant sgian dubh with an unusual and finely carved grip, fine+ condition with no damage.
$350
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1274) Scottish Sgian Dubh. 3 3/4" blade with typical scalloped back, some minor pitting. Overall length 8". Ebony grip with well-executed basket-weave carving, cairngorm pommel. Silver mounted scabbard engraved with Celtic interlace (note: mounts are silver though not hallmarked, a fairly common occurrence on Scottish dirks also. Apparently Scottish silver marking regulations were not enforced to the degree that English laws were). Could date from late Victorian era to 1930's. Fine+ condition, no damage.
$325
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1275) Scottish Regimental Issue Mk.III Piper's Dirk marked to 1st Seaforth Highlanders. 12" blade with Broad Arrow marking, various Crown inspectors' stamps, dated "1 '16" (Jan. 1916). White metal mounts of regulation patterns, crown on pommel top. Unit markings on lower hilt mount "3.24 / 1.SEA.18 (the 18 is cancelled) / D.2" . The locket throat stamped "9.22 / 1.SEA.23 / D2" . Fine+ condition overall, bright clean blade with clear markings. Wood of grip with minor chips next to lower edge of pommel cap - hardly noticeable since they are slight and the wood so dark. Though the 1881 Amalgamations united the Seaforths and the Camerons as the Queen's Own Highlanders, these regiments continued to maintain their separate identities within the new regimental structure.
$950
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1276) Officer's Regimental Dirk of the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders, Pre 1881. 12" blade with scalloped back etched to tip both sides; reverse: "Crown over VR, 72nd / HIGHLANDERS, maker LINNEY / LONDON". Obverse Crown over battle honours "HINDOOSTAN / CAPE OF GOOD HOPE / SEVASTOPOL" . Since this list does not include Central India (Great Mutiny) or the 1878-80 Afghanistan honours, we have a close idea of its date. Fine bright blade with only tiny bit of pitting at tip, all etching sharp and clear. Linney of London worked 1829-85, became Sibley & Linney 1886. Engraved gilt brass mounts retain some gilding, are in ex. condition as are the carved ebony grip and scabbard leather. The cairngorm at the top of the pommel has a minor chip at its edge, though it scarcely detracts and cannot be seen from the front of the dirk. A fine Victorian dirk of a famous regiment, pre-amalgamation of 1881, such as one rarely sees these days.
$3,500
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1278) Philadelphia Deringer by J.E.Evans. 2 5/8" , .47 cal deeply rifled barrel stamped on top flat "J.E. EVANS PHILADa" , german silver foresight. Breech has exact same engraving design as shown on Evans deringer Flayderman 7D-016. Fine engraved g.s. mounts, solid uncleaned stock no cracks or repairs, checkered grip. Ex. working order, bore VG with clear rifling. Smooth untouched light age patina overall, no pitting, traces of the "stripe" finish still visible on barrel. This gun in the size range rated as "small".
Evans dated in 1850's to 60's.
$1,475
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1279) American Militia Infantry Officer's Sword c. 1800. 30" blade with 8 1/2" false edge. Iron mounted hilt with facetted backstrap, original leather wrapped grip with original twisted brass wire wrap in fine condition.
Iron mounted leather scabbard in fine condition, no breaks or repairs, missing chape, retains original russet leather suspension straps and buckles - the straps are sewn on and cannot be removed without cutting the original stitches. These straps match the russet leather belt (missing some 8 or 10") which has one surviving strap that mated with the little buckles on the scabbard straps. Ex. blade retains 95% brilliant blue and gilding , engraved at shoulders "SOLINGEN" and "C.v.KELLER". The remainder of the blade retains nearly all its original bright polish. Hilt and scabbard mounts thin light age patina that allows some of the original bright polish to show through. The Kellers were an old swordsmithing family of Solingen, going back at least the entire 18th century and no longer recorded after c. 1870. The form of this sword date it 1790-1800, the hilt style deriving from the European hussar sabre, though its lighter construction and shorter blade mark it as an infantry officer's sword.
$1,450
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1281) A Very Rare Spanish Brass Mounted Model 1767 Dragoon Sword. 36 3/4" (measured from guard, 38" if measured from cross-guard) double-edged blade stamped on obverse "CLOSAS" and on reverse with Arrow of Royal ownership and "Crowned R" (Magi Closas, Barcelona, 1760-1780, a known maker of this pattern). Heavy brass hilt of regulation pattern with leather covered wood grip, about 50% of this original leather remains though only a short piece of the original twisted brass wire wrap remains at the grip-collar junction. Smooth blade with deep clear markings, no damage to hilt, a fine original in all respects sword, completely undisturbed.
See Brinckerhoff & Chamberlain, "Spanish Military Weapons in Colonial America 1700-1821", plates 164-65 for exact type; see also Brinckerhoff p.80 for reference to brass hilted dragoon swords in Havana inventory of 1771. Brinckerhoff thought that the example he illustrates (from the Army Museum, Madrid) was the only known specimen. In fact, several others have survived, and are discussed and illustrated on line by Juan L. Calvo (May, 2006). These swords are a type first proposed and drawn by Garcia Ramirez de Arellano in 1767, and put into production for Dragoons shortly thereafter. The pattern equipped Spanish Dragoons during much of the reign of Carlos III (1759-88). The hilt type is known in Spanish as "barquilla con vela en laton"
(boat with candle in brass) - in English such a guard is often referred to as "boatshell". Arellano wrote that the brass hilt would be as durable as the traditional iron/steel guards previously used by Spanish Dragoons
(and that would be again in the last years of the 18th century), but as Juan Calvo puts it "...the rare presence in museums and collections..." of this type seems to prove Arellano wrong. In fairness, this pattern is at least every bit as sturdy as many French, Prussian and other European troopers' brass cavalry hilts, though these comparatively wealthier states may have tolerated a higher rate of damage attrition than Spain could.
Aside from loss through damage, Calvo points out that these hilts could be melted down for other armaments - we do know the blades were re-used on later, steel-hilted swords. Stretched to the limit and beyond by a far-flung empire, Spain had to resort to such measures. When one considers the attrition of the Napoleonic and Carlist Wars, the extreme rarity of what was never a common sword becomes understandable.
$4,600
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1282) Black Watch Plaid Brooch. 3 1/2" in dia. Dates late 19th, early 20th century. St. Andrew on cross, battle honour Sphinx over "EGYPT". Motto "NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT" (both the regimental and Scotland's motto). Cast in white metal, with fine hand chased detail. Ex. condition.
$400
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1283) Shoulder Belt Plate of Gordon Highlanders, Late Victorian Era. 3 1/2" X 4" . Silvered badge with stag, "GORDON HIGHLANDERS", honours "EGYPT" and "INDIA", on copper gilt plate. Ex. condition.
$425
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1284) Imperial Japanese NCO Shin Gunto Sword. 27 1/2" fullered blade, serial # 24714 beside pre-1936 Koishikawa Arsenal stamp. Well-detailed aluminum hilt retains some original paint, shows only light normal service wear, marked with same Koishikawa Arsenal stamp as blade plus the 4 cannonball stamp used by both Koishikawa and Kokura arsenals 1929-35. Scabbard retains about 70% original paint, remainder smooth age patina, throat bears matching # 24714. Blade ex.+, near mint, retains virtually all original polish, no stains or edge nicks. A fine genuine example with matching numbers.
$750
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1286) Sudanese Kaskara. 35" blade of typical kaskara type, sharp, half-moon armourer's marks. Hilt with characteristic iron cross-guard, lower grip bound with leather, upper grip and pommel covered with embossed copper (or low-grade silver/copper alloy). A bit of the original green (the color of the Prophet) sword knot remains. A genuine 19th century fighting kaskara of above average quality.
$325
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1287) Prussian Infantry Officer's Pickelhaube. Fine solid skull with minor crazing, slight distortion to left rear peak, paper label inside gives size 56 1/2, green leather underside of front peak intact. All mounts retain some gilt toning overall, original chin scales and national and state cockades. A fine all original pickelhaube
with no replacement parts.
$1,500
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1289) Fine Dutch Sterling Silver Ship Model. 9" in length (tip of bowsprit to stern lantern). Keel bears numerous silver hallmarks. Extremely well-made. The finely detailed stern decoration identifies it as the
"Zeven Provincien" (the 7 Provinces that comprise Holland), Admiral de Ruyter's flagship at the Four Days Battle of 1666 against the English Fleet. Ex. condition, no damage, housed in original glass, german silver and wood display case.
$1,200
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1290) Imperial German Prussian Beer Stein of Artillery Regiment No.22. 12 1/2" high, polychrome pottery stein named to Reservist Gefreiter Mindrup (service time 1908-1910), with scenes of training, firing the guns, listed names of his fellow reservists, etc., following the usual format for these colorful steins which are so evocative of the Germanic military Zeitgeist. Pewter lid cast with patriotic slogans, trophies of arms, crossed cannon (note transverse type Krupp breechblocks; topped with field gun served by two stalwarts. A fine original stein in great condition with no repairs
$700
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1291) A Brilliant Condition Engraved Cased Pin Fire Revolver c. 1860. 2" barrel, 5mm caliber. 6-shot cylinder with Liege proof on front (so as not to deface engraving). Single and double action. Ex.tight working order, like new. Rifled bore is mint. Frame retains 95%+ original bright polish; barrel and cylinder 95% bright original unfaded blue (just some slight dulling to blue on left side barrel where it contacts liner). All engraving on barrel, cylinder and frame crisp and sharp as new. Perfect original genuine ivory grips, no wear, cracks or repairs. In its original "cigar" style case which, unlike some, has no room for cigars. A hinged compartment contains 5 original 5mm pinfire cartridges. The leather covered case is in fine+ condition, inside and out except where the ejector rod has caused a bit of wear to the watered silk upper liner. I have recently had 3 other cased revolvers similar to this in 7mm, this tiny 5mm revolver is from the same source.
$1,750
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1292) Colonial Spanish Hanger. 24" double-edged blade. Iron-mounted
hilt with recurving cross-guard, fitted with finger ring. Smooth deep age
patina overall; horn grip has some minor insect damage. Untouched condition.
A popular 18th-early19th century style in Mexico and the Caribbean.
$190
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1293) Arabian Wahabite Jambiya, 19th Century. 14 1/2" d.e. curved blade
with traces of simple engraved line decoration. Horn grip scales heavily
silver-mounted. Engraved brass scabbard with silver plaque shows honest wear
and period repairs. A genuine old fighting jambiya with plenty of
character.
$250
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1294) Wahabite 19th Century Jambiya. 18 1/4" d.e. curved blade with
engraved decoration. Overall length with scabbard 24 1/2". Horn grip scales
with heavy silver mounts, several red coral stones. Leather covered
wood scabbard, long silver chape with filigree decoration. Scabbard and
hilt show honest wear from long daily use
$350
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1295) Cossack Kindjal, Late Czarist Period. 12" blade of typical form
with offset fullers, bearing on both sides an armourer's mark of an arrow,
possibly copied from the Russian Ishevsk Arsenal mark - the Caucasian
armourers (particularly the Kubachi) were very adept at reproducing desirable and
valued markings. All-silver hilt with relief carved and niello filled
decoration. Hilt and silver scabbard show minor unavoidable dings and wear from
constant carrying - this is no "Black Sea" tourist toy, but a dagger of the
type worn by Cossacks (Russian or one of the Caucasian peoples) who wore
the Caucasian costume.
$750
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1296) Scottish Officer's Victorian Era Claymore. 32 1/2" d.e. blade
etched with Victorian crown, scrolls, etc., retailer "MURRAY & WATSON / HIGH St
/ INVERNESS" . All etching shows age wear, and blade has been
professionally edged for campaign. Highland officers did carry these swords on active
service, and there are accounts of them being used in combat, for example,
in India and the North West Frontier. Basket shows service wear, retains
85% original nickel, grip has original shagreen covering, missing twisted
wire wrap. No scabbard.
$550
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1298) French Model 1822-1883 Light Cavalry Sword. 34 1/4" (87cm) blade etched on back "CHATle=9lere=
1883=CAVrie=LEGERE=Mle=1822=C.me=1883", 3 poincons at shoulder. Brass hilt with original leather
and brass wire wrapping, # A18022. Fine all-steel scabbard matching # A18022, no dents, smooth clean overall. Blade ex. condition, retains bright original polish.
An interesting modification of the Model 1822 Light Cavalry sabre, consisting of re-forging in 1883 the curved 1822 blade to the specifications of the new straight-bladed Model 1882 L.C. sword. The hilts were identical.
Intended as both an economy measure and as a means of speeding up deliveries to the troops, the 1822-1883 conversion was abandoned after just 3000 were made. Fine overall condition.
Etched on back "CHATle=9lere=
1883=CAVrie=LEGERE=Mle=1822=C.me=1883", 3 poincons at shoulder. Brass
hilt with original leather
and brass wire wrapping, # A18022. Fine all-steel scabbard matching #
A18022, no dents, smooth clean overall. Blade ex. Condition, retains bright
original polish.
An interesting modification of the Model 1822 Light Cavalry sabre,
consisting of re-forging in 1883 the curved 1822 blade to the specifications of
the new straight-bladed Model 1882 L.C. sword. The hilts were identical.
Intended as both an economy measure and as a means of speeding up
$500
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1299) Imperial German Artillery Officer's Sword, Late 19th-Early 20th Century. 31" pipe-back blade with 12 1/2" stepped false edge, etched in panel "EISENHAUER" (iron-cutter), and etched on back "M.NEUMANN HOFLIEFERANT BERLIN". Ex. condition brass hilt with crossed cannon on langet, lion-head pommel, grip retains all original shagreen and wire wrapping. Steel scabbard retains nearly all original blued finish, brass mounts, several dents just above drag. Blade ex.+ - mint, bright original polish. Ex. overall condition.
$535
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1300) A Good US Eagle Pommel Sword c. 1805-10. 28" curved, blued and gilt blade with scrolls, tropies of arms, Liberty Cap, "WARRENTED" etc. Silvered brass guard with "Ketland" style eagle (see Mowbray, The American Eagle-Pommel Sword, pp.100-102), ex. grip of reeded bone, no cracks or chips; overall hilt retains about 45%+ silver plate. Leather scabbard with the silvered brass mounts retaining approx. 60%+ silver plate; leather solid, seam intact, no repairs, surface with some crazing and flaking. Blade in fine+ condition retaining 80% or more bright original blue and gilding with scattered surface freckling. Officers of the US Regular Infantry were during this period and for several decades required to wear silver plated swords. Unfortunately, the silver plating methods in use at the time were notoriously liable to rapid wear (see Mowbray, p.110, fig.14 for comments), making the generous amount of surviving silver on this sword an unusual occurrence. A good example of a US Regular Infantry officer's sword of the 1812-14 War.
$1,550
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1301) Another US Regular Infantry Officer's Sword c.1805-10. 29" blade with typical etched decoration, scrolls, trophies of arms, Liberty Cap and shield with stars and stripes. The bluing is worn off, but the etching is all clear with gilding remaining in the lines, overall surface rates VG with patches of light pitting or staining
(better than most early eagle-pommel swords). Hilt retains traces of silvering on all its brass elements; fine uncracked reeded bone grips. All-brass scabbard with same traces of silvering and untouched patina matching hilt. Like # 1300 above, a good, unfooled with, honest War of 1812 sword.
$1,200
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1302) A Leather Case for a Lancaster Rifle. Dimensions of lower case (not lid) 8 1/4" X 32 1/8". Barrel recess will accept barrel of approx. 31". All original, solid and brass-mounted on every corner, the leather is in fine condition and that includes the straps and buckles. Original lining (some minor mothing and fraying) with all the original partitions and labels. Lancaster's label reads "CHAS LANCASTER / GUN MANUFACTURER / No 151 NEW BOND STREET / LONDON / INVENTOR OF THE IMPROVED COPPER PRIMER GUN". To the right of this trade label is another: "COMPOSITION FOR FILLING SHELL-BULLETS / 2 PARTS OF CHLORATE OF POTASH / 1 PART OF SUBLIMED SULPHER / MIX AND FILL THE CAVITY OF BULLET WITHIN ONE-SIXTH / OF THE TOP, THEN STOP UP WITH PURE BEES-WAX". (Do not try this at home, kids) Case was clearly built for a large-bore single-barrel rifle (barrel recess far too narrow for any double barrel) capable of firing explosive bullets with the necessary numerous loading accessories.
$400
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1303) Nock Screwless Lock. 5 5/8" in length, marked "H - NOCK" and stamped with inspector's mark of crown over Broad Arrow. Fine tight working order, all parts original, but missing sear spring and the fire-shield which was often removed from these locks.
$350
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1304) A Genuine Temple Iron Harpoon. 33 1/2" o.a., length of hinged point 7 5/8". Very well forged and fitted, in fine condition with just an over-all patina of light age pitting, never cleaned. You can pay nearly $400 for a reproduction, or have the real thing for .... (Oh yes, with the repro you get a wood shaft and some rope)
$450
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1305) Central European Rider's Sword c. 1640-50. 29 1/2" blade with 7" false edge, stiff and servicable.
Iron mounted hilt with thumb-ring; the quillon, outer guard, knuckle-bow and pommel all bear ensuite chiseled decoration. Original twisted copper wire bound grip. A handy and compact sword for a light cavalryman of a type popular during the 30 Years War. Completely original as made, untouched except for a light cleaning.
$1,350
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1307) British East India Government Pistol. 8" , .65 cal. with Government proofs, Broad Arrows, etc. Lock marked with Crown "EIG" under Broad Arrow, "BIRMINGHAM 1871". Perfect working order, and probably unfired except for proofing. Solid uncleaned, ex.+ condition stock with crisp edges, various inspectors' stamps, large stamped rondel with Broad Arrow over EIG, "BIRMINGHAM" and Crown. Contractor "PRYSE & REDMAN". Condition overall is ex.++, barrel retains 99% fine original blue, perfect bore, lock and hammer retain all brilliant case colors. Completely original and in near new condition.
$1,700
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1308) Package of Six .36 cal. Cartridges. Contains 6 original cartridges for "WHITNEY'S OR COLT'S NAVY PISTOL" . The tear string was partially pulled at some time, but the cartridges remain as well as the string itself, and has been resealed. Included is a packet of "Frankford Arsenal 8 second Fuzes" dated 1863. Never opened, fine condition.
$600
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1309) French Model 1874 Officers Modele d'Ordnance Revolver. 11mm Ordnance cal., 4 1/2" barrel. Frame marked "ST. ETIENNE", proofed with "ST. ETIENNE" and crossed palms of that arsenal. The cylinder carries the same proofmark in one flute, and is numbered "31" ; this same # 31 is stamped on inner surface of sideplate. Solid checkered grips ex.+. Ex. tight working order, bore bright sharp like new. Gun retains approx. 80% original blue. Identical to Model 1874 officers issue revolver, but made for private sale.
French period arms catalogs also show commercial national arsenal made Gras and Model 1886 Lebel rifles.
$1,100
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1310) A Cigar Case .23 Eley Revolver. 2" rifled barrel. 6-shot cylinder with Liege proof on rear face, roll-marked in a wavy ribbon around middle "RIM FIRE PISTOL 230 ELEY'S CART. DEPOSITED 27 NOV. 1873".
Frame stamped with "TP" and "1C". Barrel, frame, cylinder and backstrap nicely scroll engraved. Ex. tight working order double or single action, fine bore, Gasser-like exterior spring functions as hammer block so chambers can be loaded at half-cock. Gun retains 90%+ original nickel finish, all markings, engraving crisp as new. Ex. dark wood grips, solid, no cracks or repairs. Housed in its original double compartment case, one for cigars, and the other for the gun fitted with a small hinged lid recess for cartridges. Case in fine condition covered with checkered pattern leather, the metal mountings nickel plated like revolver. Near-miniature in size, and in great condition overall.
$1,900
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1311) S&W .38 Single Action Second Model. 4" barrel with S&W address and patent dates to 1880. Serial # 817XX, all matching on frame, cylinder, barrel and locking catch. Ex.+ original mother-of-pearl grips.
Fully original engraved, retains 95% fine original nickel. Ex. tight working order, fine bright bore with sharp rifling. An ex. condition, all original revolver in every respect.
$1,850
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1312) Winchester Model 1885 Hi-Wall Rifle. 30", # 3 weight octagonal barrel (stamped on bottom flat), top flat bears Winchester address and caliber designation "38-55" . Serial # 23426 on lower tang, made 1888.
Solid stocks, no cracks or repairs and showing little wear, never cleaned, rate fine with only very few minor dings, perfect wood-to-metal fit. Barrel retains most faded original blue with sharp edges. Receiver is smooth silver-gray with good traces of original case colors (colors present on lever too). Action ex.+, tight and positive as new. Bore VG+, clear well-defined rifling is bright, with minor wear.
Factory letter records gun shipped 2-4-1891, and, before being shipped, was returned to assembly room on
12-15-1890 and the barrel changed from a # 2 weight, 28" in 44-40 to the "38/55 caliber, 30" barrel, # 3 barrel weight" it was shipped with (and which was the standard weight and length for 38/55). A nice honest Model
1885.
$2,600
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1313) Cased Beaumont Adams Retailed by Blanch, London. 5 3/4" oct. barrel, 54 bore (44 cal.), top flat engraved "BLANCH & SON, 29 GRACECHURCH St., LONDON". (Blanch and Son at this address 1850 to 1900). Left barrel flat marked "LAC" (London Armoury Company) and with London proofs. Frame marked "B 16,908 / ADAMS PATENT No. 32654R" , loading lever pivot stamped with crown over shield enclosing LAC.
Cylinder with matching # 32654R and London proofs. VG working order double or single action, tight indexing, trigger return spring a bit weak but it does return trigger (probably just needs cleaning out of dried oil). Bore VG, fairly bright with distinct rifling. Overall pistol retains 80% fine original blue, ex. grips show little wear, no cracks or repairs. Fine case (no cracks or serious dings) with original green baize lining, original Blanch label. Accessories include fine copper bag flask (no dents) by "C&JW / HAWKSLEY", original nipple wrench, original mold stamped "54", original ebony rod with jag and wire brush tips, original oil bottle by Hawksley also. Top of case with round brass escutcheon engraved "Lt. COL. Rt. HON. / RAG DALZELL / 63 RGT". This is the Hon. Robert Alexander George Dalzell, youngest son of Robert Alexander Dalzell, 7th Earl of Carnwath, etc., etc. One of the most ancient Scottish families - Baron Thomas de Dalzell sword fealty to Edward I of England, but subsequently had a change of heart and backed Robert Bruce.
RAG Dalzell, the owner of this revolver, fought with the 63rd at Alma and Inkermann in the Crimea. At Inkermann, he assumed command of the 63rd when Col. Swyny was killed. Dalzell's horse was killed under him. He was created a Companion of the Order of the Bath, and received his Crimean medal from Queen Victoria's hands. He also received Turkish and Sardinian decorations for military courage.
However, since the Beaumont Adams did not appear until 1855, it was presumably not purchased until his return to England. It is priced as a nice example of a famous English revolver, that simply happens to have belonged to an officer with a valorous service career.
$2,800
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1314) Cased Tranter .380 Rimfire Revolver. 5 1/4" oct. barrel. Topstrap engraved "I.HOLLIS & SONS / BIRMINGHAM". 5-shot cylinder with Birmingham proofs. Side gate loading, ejector rod threaded into butt.
Checkered grips ex.+, near mint. Engraved frame, barrel, backstrap. Revolver retains 95%+ brilliant original blue, cylinder 98% bright case colors, bore ex. bright with sharp rifling. Action tight with ex. indexing in double-action mode, single action will cock but needs attention. I considered looking inside, but I'm no gunsmith and the perfect unbuggered screwheads deterred me. Ex. condition case with original lining also in ex. condition, original Isaac Hollis& Sons trade label, original oil bottle and cleaning rod. An ex.+ condition revolver retaining nearly all its brilliant, un-dulled, original finish.
$3,000
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1315) Remington Magazine. Cal.45-70, for Models 1882 and 1885. Fine condition, no dents, strong follower spring, smooth dull blue/black original finish.
$55
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1316) Irish Cross Belt Plate of Shelmalier Infantry. 3" by 2 1/4" brass engraved with Crown over Harp, with
"SHELMALIER" in arc over device, and "INFANTRY" in arc below. Entirely genuine and complete, shows wear and deep patina consistent with age, no repairs. The Shelmalier Infantry, commanded by George Ogle, took a brutal part in suppressing the 1798 Rebellion, earning them the title "Ogle's Bloody Blues. They were present at Vinegar Hill.
$700
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1317) A Fine Copper Powder Flask. Overall length including spout 5" . Complete and all original, retains all original lacquer. Design (both sides) of peacock on a column wreathed in foliage, under a pair of crossed revolvers. Ex.+ condition overall.
$425
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1318) Scottish Sgian Dubh of Gordon Highlanders Pattern. 4" blade with typical scalloped back, smooth and clean except for minor staining on reverse (side nearest leg, and where many sgian dubhs show the effect of sweat soaking through the leather of the scabbard). Silver chiseled white metal mounts with the
characteristic elevated bezel with cairngorm that is unique to the Gordons. Original scabbard with plain mounts - many of these little black knives dispensed with decoration on the scabbard mounts since the stocking covered them anyway, and the two illustrated examples of the Gordon's pattern I have seen were plain also. Late 19th - early 20th century. Fine overall condition, wood grip has thin grain crack up center but is solid.
$400
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1319) Sgian Dubh, Edinburgh Hallmarks for 1911. 3" blade of typical form, clean with small areas of light pitting on reverse like so many others. Fine carved basket-weave dark wood grip. Sterling mounts, Edinburgh hallmarks of 1911 and maker's cartouche.
$375
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1320) Scottish Regimental Dirk of the Highland Light Infantry, Edwardian Era. 11 3/4" blade with scalloped back obverse etched with scrolls, Crown, "HLI" enclosed in bugle, Scottish motto "Nemo Me Impune Lacessit" , thistle, battle honour "ASSAYE" over elephant. Reverse with scrolls, Crown over "ER VII", thistles, etc. Black basket weave carved wood grip with gilt brass studs, mounted with cairngorm, gilt mounts with relief thistles ensuite with all scabbard mounts. Locket bears King's Crown over hunting horn of HLI, back of locket stamped in cartouche "MARSHALL & AITKEN / EDINBURGH" . Ensuite companion knife and fork. Entire dirk is in nearly mint condition. Blade and its etching is mint, like new with no wear or patina, as are the knife and fork. Mounts retain all of their original gilding, show no wear or dents. Scabbard leather is fine +, shows no wear except for minor scuffing / crinkling of patent leather on one side just above chape. The Marshall (of Marshall and Aitken) is likely the Marshall who was, as early as the reign of George IV, the King's Jeweler in Edinburgh. A beautiful Edwardian dirk of fine workmanship and in splendid condition.
$4,000
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1321) Scottish Officer's Claymore of the Black Watch c. 1850. 32" d.e. blade, obverse etched with scrolls, Crown over "VR / XLII" (the 42nd, or Black Watch). Reverse with scrolls, Crown over "VR" , cutler's name "LANDON / & MORLAND / JERMYN ST / St. JAMES / LONDON". Basket with smooth light age patina (no pitting) Grip retains all original shagreen covering and twisted wire wrap. Remains of original basket liner and fringe are sandwiched between grip and iron guard elements; one upper basket branch shows a joint crack but is securely held at other end to basket.
Scabbard leather fine+ condition, no repairs and seam intact, iron mounts with no dents, patina matches that on hilt. Blade is clean with only scattered light staining, clear deep sharp etching of high quality (small brass proof-mark missing). Landon and Morland occupied premises on Jermyn St. from 1848, moving in 1856 to New Burlington St. and changing trade name to Landon, Morland & Landon, which is how they appear in 1857 trade directories. During the period this sword was supplied, the 42nd fought in the Crimea at the battles of Alma, Balaclava and in the siege of Sebastopol. In 1857-59, the regiment saw extensive action in the Indian Mutiny, winning 8 Victoria Crosses in that campaign.
$1,850
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1322) US Starr 1812-13 Cavalry Saber. 33 1/4" blade, stamped on obverse "P / HHP" (Proof and inspector Henry H.Perkin), and on reverse "N.STARR". The pattern of markings, and the early style of grip and narrow lower guard indicate this sword to be of early manufacture. Retains original leather washer at throat. Guard retains most original blackening, stamped "P" on knuckle-bow, retains 95% original grip leather. Scabbard retains virtually all original black paint, is in unusually good condition with but a single dent on each side towards the end. Blade smooth with minor staining, deep clear markings. VG+ overall and much above average.
$1,250
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1323) German Estoc (Panzerstecher), Late 16th or Early 17th Century. 44" blade (measured from cross-guard) of very stiff diamond section. Overall length of sword 51 1/4". Large, complex shell guard measures 9 3/4" from quillon tip to tip, 6 1/2" wide. Spiral grip with twisted iron wire wrap - wrap possibly original and does appear old. Both blade and hilt exhibit all the varied correct and unmistakable hammer-forged techniques that only age reveals, and that Victorian and later fakes do not (having used off-the-shelf steel or iron stock); this is a genuine late 16th century sword. Estocs were often carried in addition to the rider's conventional sword. They were used to seek out the weak points in plate armour, pierce mail, and easily deal with buff leather coats that could defeat a cutting stroke. The great commander Gustavus Adolphus II was killed by an estoc that pierced his buff coat at the battle of Lutzen in 1632. His coat is preserved in the Livrustkammaren in Stockholm (see pic).
$5,000
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1324) Colt Model 1877 Lightning. 5" barrel with etched panel "COLT D.A. 38", correct 2-line Colt address. All matching #'s 854XX (made 1893). Frame with 3-line patents; Rampant Colt in circle. Original hard rubber grips ex.+ condition, no wear, scratches, cracks. Barrel, cylinder, trigger-guard and grip straps retain 90%+ fine original blue (just faded to smooth plum on lower grip straps from handling). Frame retains 95% bright original case colors. There is virtually no rust or freckling anywhere. Action, indexing, perfect and crisp. Bore is bright mint. An ex.+ example in every respect.
$2,400
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1325) S&W No.3 First Model American .44. 8" barrel with full address and patent dates, correct original german silver foresight. .44 American cartridge. All matching assembly #'s "470" on cylinder, frame, barrel and barrel locking latch. Serial # 5228 (made 1871) , matching # stamped on inside grip wood. Ex.+ action with tight lock-up and cylinder indexing; fine bright bore with sharp rifling. Frame retains 89% fine original blue, barrel approx. 25%, balance of all metal is smooth faded blue/plum that has never been cleaned or disturbed. All edges sharp and markings deep and clear as new. Fine original grips never cleaned, no repairs, very small chip out of lower corner right grip. This pistol has none of the improvements that were introduced in stages during early production, and that finally culminated in the Second Model. The barrel latch does not engage a notch in the hammer, and it has the longer cylinder (1.450"). Naturally, it does not have the little oil hole in the bottom of the extractor housing that was eliminated about serial # 1500. A completely original and fine S&W First Model American.
$5,650
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1326) "New Design" Bulldog Revolver. 3 1/4" oct. barrel, .450 Webley cal. (not the shorter .450 Bulldog cartridge, though these could be used in it too). Top strap marked "NEW DESIGN / BULLDOG". Engraved frame, cylinder and barrel. Matching assembly # on major parts, Liege proof. Retains 95% fine original nickel, ex. crisp working order; bore VG with deep rifling. Original genuine ivory grips (not bone) in ex. cond., no cracks or repairs. Ex. original condition overall, and a good example of a type widely used in the Old West.
$850
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1327) American Kentucky Pistol circa 1810-20. 9 1/8" deeply rifled tapered round barrel .55 cal., brass foresight. Lock marked by the Philadelphia-based firm of "W / KETLAND / & Co" . Brass mounted fullstock with original ramrod; piece of stock broken out above lock has been glued back in place; silver wrist escutcheon. Lock in VG working order (it still sparks); the use of Ketland locks in Kentucky rifles and pistols is so common as to require no further comment. VG condition overall with generally smooth age patina with no serious pitting anywhere. Uncleaned stock showing only minor dings and wear. This exact pistol illustrated both sides and top view on p. 184 (pistol # 162) of Chandler & Whisker's book "The Kentucky Pistol" (book accompanies gun).
$3,700
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1328) North / Central Indian War Hammer "Zaghnal", 18th - early 19th century. 8 1/2" curved blade with reinforced point for piercing mail armour. 24" haft composed of two half-round wood strips riveted with iron rivets and brass rosettes to steel core ( 3 of the 5 zaghnals pictured on p. 338 "Islamic Weapons" by A.C. Tirri have same type haft construction). VG condition overall.
$600
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1329) Unusually Large European Hunting Sword, 18th Century. 24" blade is 2 1/2" wide at guard, etched both sides with man-in-moon, talismanic symbols, trophies of arms, Sultan. The large iron mounted karabela-style grip has 3 gadrooned studs both sides, engraved and pierced wide cross-guard (4 3/4" X 2 3/8") was designed to enclose the upper part of the scabbard locket, which would have contained four or so implements of the hunt (knife, fork, dismembering knife, sharpening iron, etc.). An impressive weapon.
$800
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1330) Pair of French Model 1833 Officers Pistols Dated 1849. 9" true welded damascus barrels with polygroove rifling ("en cheveux" - hair rifling), .67 cal. Both barrels bear inspectors' poincons, "MN", and date "1849". Both locks in crisp ex. working order, marked with poincons and "Mre Nle de / CHATELLERAULT / M. ROUS" . Nipples look unused. Original steel rammers with brass tips marked with "7" and poincons.
Ex. solid, uncleaned stocks with no cracks or repairs, crisp checkering, steel furniture, lanyard ring caps can be unscrewed to reveal compartments for caps or a spare ball (an original ball is in each). Fine untouched condition overall, crisp-edged metal, smooth metal with fine clear markings and light age patina
(not pitting) which could be easily cleaned to excellent. The twist is completely clear and deep on the barrels. The marking of Manufacture Nationale was used only from 1848 to 1852, becoming "Mre Imp" when in later 1852 Napoleon III declared himself Emperor. Finest quality French Arsenal manufacture, identical pair in all respects. This exact pattern shown in Boudriot, "Armes a Feu Francaises Models Reglementaires" Cahier No.4, pl.6 (the ones illustrated dated 1853).
$3,250
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1331) Colt Factory Conversion of 1861 Navy. 7 1/2" barrel marked "ADDRESS COL SAML COLT NEW - YORK U.S. AMERICA" ; .38 center-fire cal. All matching #'s 2063 over ! (barrel, cylinder, grip strap; wedge is not numbered as is correct for model, is original and has matching patina and nickel). Muzzle shows light holster wear as well as correct plugged loading lever lug slot. Frame marked with patent dates 1871 and 1872. Cylinder retains visible naval scene even where nickel is gone. Action is fine working order and indexing; bore is VG with clear rifling. Grips are solid, no cracks or repairs, show honest wear. Matching assembly # 4288 on loading gate and underside cylinder arbor. Overall gun retains 65% fine original nickel, balance shows the typical, unavoidable and recognizable wear and age pattern of a rider's holstered pistol.
$1,900
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1332) An Enormous Italian Grenade Launcher/Signal Gun 17th-18th Century. Barrel length 23"; 1" bore. Measurement across brass muzzle mouth 5 3/4" ; thick-walled iron barrel measures 1 7/8" o.d. at muzzle, and 2 1/2" at breech - apparently built for heavy charges when you consider the one inch bore. Barrel inlaid with brass cross. Brass bell-mouth is cupped inside. Overall length is 43" ; weight 50 lbs on scale. Tail of flintlock plate bears two small punch-marks; one with letters "TDE" , other unclear. Lock will not hold cock, but is complete and all original. There may have been another, larger, lock mounted once
(wheelock, snaphaunce ?), but if so it was long ago - this lock has served to fire this gun for a long time.
Huge brass-inlaid stock is of one-piece wood. The decoration of the brass mounts includes floral motifs, crosses, fish, etc., and on one side of butt a Virgin with Christ-Child, and on the other a depiction of St. Colonban (see below). The massive butt (3 1/2" X 13") is encircled and strengthened by a thick inset iron buttplate. A rectangular slot ( 1 1/4" x 4" by 1 3/4" deep) is cut into the wood. The gun is complete and in fine condition overall, no restoration.
The only other example of such a gun (but slightly smaller) I located was in Bannerman's 1933 catalog, p.17. (see pictures) It is described as a "Flintlock Rampart Gun, octagonal 18 inch iron barrel, 3/4" smooth-bore with brass detachable cup shaped attachment for holding expolsive shell or grenade..... Buttstock...has hole 3 inches long, 1 1/8" wide, 2 1/4" deep, intended to rest on socket for elevation and recoil..." (note same slot as described above). Bannerman's gun was brass mounted with a shield bearing name "R. Babarani" .
The one I offer here first appears in one of Dexter's catalogs c. 1960, with a story of having been used by the Vatican Guard (Swiss, of course, though apparently they were named "Beefeaters" in description), and it was claimed the Italian Government at first refused to allow the historical treasure to be exported. It's next appearance was in legendary Norm Flayderman's catalog # 55 (see picture and Norm's description).
Along with the name "Babarani" on Bannerman's example, plus the story that accompanies this gun, the appearance of St. Colonban's image contributes to a likely Italian origin. Colonban (also Columbanus) left Ireland in 590 AD, part of the massive wave of Irish monks to fragmented Dark Age Europe, intent on a mission to repay the gifts of literacy, knowledge and Christianity they had received from hence. Colonban founded, or had founded in his name, from 60 to 100 monasteries. He died in 615 at his monastery at Bobbio, Italy.
$5,500
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1333) Colt Single Action Army, .45 Cal. Standard 4 3/4" barrel with correct 2-line address "COLT'S Pt F A
MFG. Co / HARTFORD CT USA" and caliber marking "45 COLT". Frame with 3-line patent markings. All-matching #'s 1348XX (manufactured 1890). Original hard rubber grips show even overall wear, no cracks or repairs. Action is ex., tight and positive with crisp hammer notches and indexing; bore VG with light frosting.
Shows smooth honest wear overall, with small traces of original blue in protected areas, no attempts to refinish, no damage or alterations, clean screwhead slots show no clumsy buggering.
$2,850
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1334) Remington Model 1875, 44-40 Cal. Standard 7 1/2" barrel marked "E.REMINGTON & SONS. ILION. N.Y. U.S.A. ". Triggerguard with caliber marking "44". Frame is numbered "854" under left grip - whether this is a serial or batch number I'm not sure (pretty big batch, though); however, a factor in considering it to be a serial # is that the foresight is the early style (similar to the percussion Remingtons), and not the blade type such as seen on Colt SAA's that Remington later adopted. Grips show only minor wear, retain much original varnish, no cracks or repairs, right grip has a narrow and shallow compression dent (no wood was gouged out and it's barely noticeable anyway). Bottom of grips die stamped "HR" , probably owner. Ex. crisp working order, tight positive indexing; bore is VG+ with only light frosting and clear rifling. Gun retains
90%+ excellent original nickel with clean smooth light wear only at muzzle, along ejector rod, etc. A really superior all original specimen.
$5,000
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