4439 PAIR OF SILVER MOUNTED FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOLS

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1,750.00USDby w***********n (50099)
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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 Nov 02 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,750.00 USD
Estimated at 3,500.00 - 4,500.00 USD
BY SMITH OF BIRMINGHAM CIRCA 1781. Cal. 50. S# NSN. The 9-1/8" half octagon half round barrels have fancy wedding band transitions along with brass bead front sights and Birmingham proofs on left rear flats. Touch holes are unlined. Locks with chamfered plates having relieved tails are fitted with serpentine cocks having back sliding safetys, semi-waterproof pans, bridled roller frizzens with large rollers on feather springs with small beaded finials. Locks are engraved with geometric borders and "Smith" (one of many gunmaker's called Smith in either London or Birmingham at the time these pistols were made) is under pans. Stocks of dense European walnut extend to muzzles and attach to barrels with two captive side bolts without escutcheons. Furniture is of silver. Grip caps and trigger guards are hallmarked for Birmingham, Sterling, date stamp "I" (1781-82) with maker's mark "CF" (Charles Freeth). Trigger guards have shell finials. Buttcaps are quite fancy with lion and castle as central motif. Sideplates are multi pierced with vine engraving and vacant crest plates are of vase form with floral finials. There is inlaid silver wire scroll around and behind barrel tangs. Greenheart ramrods with bone tips and steel worm tails mount through beaded silver pipes and matching thimbles. CONDITION: good. Steel and iron parts are polished and cleaned to silver gray with some scattered pitting. Stocks retain most of an old oil refinish with a number of previous and subsequent marks. Silver is good; rubbed, presently cleaned. Bores are lightly pitted. Locks are good and complete without noted restorations. Wood is also very good with only a minor stress crack at the front of one lock and some minor old chipping behind barrel tang of same pistol. PROVENANCE: Estate Collection of Nicholas Apergis. (01-27497/MGM). ANTIQUE. $3,500-4,500.