Antique Percussion Pistols for sale

This 1864 manufactured Starr 1863 Model Single Action Army .44 six shot revolver has an 8” rifled barrel (good bore and rifling) as opposed to the 6" issue of the Dual Action Model 1858.

Unusual as it is nickel plated which appears to be in period as there is about 20% wear in places you would expect from use. Action is good although hand spring is a little weak. Grips look to be original but are worn and well used. The rest of the revolver appears to be original as well. This nickel plated Starr Model 1863 Single Action Army .44 calibre is serial number 29725 on the frame and hammer rest with 29726 on the cylinder – not unusual to have a slight variation on numbers on these revolvers and this one is concurrent numbering. This makes this revolver in the range that were issued to regiments of Custers Michigan Brigade in early 1864 when it was manufactured. Further research is required as sources differ on serial number ranges relating to issue to specific regiments but initial internet research points to the serial number on this revolver being in the range that were issued to the 7th Michigan Cavalry who subsequently participated in the Battles of the Wilderness and the Appomattox Campaign.

The Starr revolver was the third most widely issued handgun of the US Civil War. The 1863 improved single action model was issued to Union forces from December 1863 until December 1864 with a total contract of 25,000 Starr 1863 Model revolvers that cost the US government $12.00 apiece. Production serial numbers of the Starr 1863 Single Action were from around 23000 to about  54000 so out of a very short production run of only a year from December 19th, 1863 to December 22nd, 1864, most were manufactured for the US Government.

The price includes UK delivery. No licence is required to possess this item in the UK if owned as a curio as part of a collection or display.

Cased 80 Bore Kerr's Patent 5 shot Single Action Revolver circa 1859 marked to the 1st Sussex Artilllery Volunteers.  5.5 in. (14cm) blued octagonal sighted barrel with five groove rifling. Bore in excellent condition. Blued grooved top strap, border engraved blued frame marked 'KERR'S PATENT NO 55' with London proof marks. Strong original blueing and case hardening to barrel/frame with crisp edges, crisp proofs and engraving. Blued matching serial numbered cylinder with London proof marks - some traces of original finish. Border engraved back action lock signed 'LONDON ARMOURY. BERMONDSEY'. Plain trigger-guard with border engraved butt cap engraved '1st SUSSEX ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS No 13'. Bright rammer with locking catch. Grips are original with some handling marks but virtually no shrinkage. In fitted oak case lined in green baize/velvet with some repairs - accessories including turnscrew, nipple wrench with pricker, a replacement double cavity brass bullet mould, a Joyce and Co cap tin, a cleaning rod with captive screw, a pewter oil bottle, a James Dixon & Sons revolver flask (some small dents but displays well) and a reproduction Eleys Percussion Cap bag with Eleys and suppliers labels. Vacant circular brass escutcheon to case lid and lock. One of the earliest known Kerr's revolvers.

The price includes UK delivery. No licence is required to possess this item in the UK if owned as a curio as part of a collection or display.

A Scarce 120 Bore Nickel Silver Framed 6 Shot Pepperbox Revolver of Bar Action Boxlock type with 3" barrels, good quality scroll engraved frame with similarly engraved iron trigger guard and nicely figured Walnut grips. Unsigned but with Birmingham proof marks, this is a good quality Pepperbox with strong traces of original finish to trigger guard and hammer and with strong original colour to barrels. Excellent mechanism and condition. Overall length 8.25". 

The price includes UK delivery. No licence is required to possess this item in the UK if owned as a curio as part of a collection or display.

French M1842 Percussion Gendarme Pistol. The 5 inch, 22 bore smoothbore barrel dated 1845, sharp markings with initials  MB below the bolster and barrel bearing the touch/proof marks Crown/M and Crown/S. Tang marked M.1842. Back action lock strongly marked 'Mre. Rle./de Mutzig'  the Manufacture Royale de Mutzig. Steel furniture bearing inspector's marks. Walnut stock bearing Royal Cipher of the Mutzig Factory, storekeeper's mark and various inspector's marks. Stock is good with normal handling marks, mainly to reverse side. Overall very good and all original including ramrod. In untouched sleepy condition with lovely patina. Overall length 10".

The price includes UK delivery. No licence is required to possess this item in the UK if owned as a curio as part of a collection or display.

Colt Second Model Dragoon Revolver, serial no. 8840, for 1850, round 7 1/2in. barrel with octagonal breech-section, the top signed 'ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY', nickel fore-sight, rear-sight notch to the hammer-nose, plain cylinder with matching numbers and traces of roll-engraved scene, squared locking notches, iron frame marked 'COLTS PATENT US', brass grip-straps and trigger-guard, smooth walnut one-piece grip and hinged under-barrel rammer, slight traces of finish. Action is excellent. All serial numbers matching.

The Colt Second Model Dragoon was designed for use by mounted cavalry - an impressive revolver as it weighs over 4lbs. It was first offered in 1850 and continued production through 1851, for a total of only 2,700, the rarest of Colt’s models of Dragoons.

The price includes UK delivery. No licence is required to possess this item in the UK if owned as a curio as part of a collection or display.

A rare combination weapon, this is a Burmese Dha combination pistol and sword. 30 bore barrel, 9.25 “ long, smoothbore with two brass band decorative rings gives the appearance of a pistol carbine but it conceals a 15.5” long sword which fits into the stock and is joined to the barrel. To remove the sword, the percussion hammer has to be cocked then the barrel lifts upwards and forwards, with the barrel then used as the handle of the sword/saber. The working percussion lock is identical to the FROST collection example and is struck with a clear inscription and makers mark. The wooden stock is in good condition and has decorative engraved brass sheathing with further brass panels along top and bottom of stock, nearly identical again to the FROST example. All original brass furniture including two sling swivels, ramrod pipe, fore end cap, sideplate and triggerguard. Ramrod is missing but these are a simple steel rod with flared end. Overall length 26.5”. 

Only a handful of these Burmese Combination Dha appear to have survived. Apart from the ex Frost collection example in his book, there is a plainer example in the William Fagan Ltd collection, a further one illustrated on pinterest and another that went through auction in California in 1998. 

BLADES AND BARRELS, Six Centuries of Combination Weapons, by H. GORDON FROST, pages 136-138, plates 217 and 218 shows the near identical example of this rare Burmese combination pistol and sword. 

The price includes UK delivery. No licence is required to possess this item in the UK if owned as a curio as part of a collection or display.

An interesting cased pair of 3rd Light Dragoons Officers Percussion Pistols by Smith, circa 1842. 9" round barrels of carbine bore with deep proof marks and original browning. Engraved lockplates signed Smith. Excellent stocks with original varnish. Iron furniture with engraved triggerguard. Brass tipped ramrods. The case is particularly attractive and unusual - an all original burr yew veneer which has mellowed and developed a very pleasing patina. Case has original lining and some accessories including cleaning rod, cap tin, turnscrew, a few patches and a ball. Also a three way flask which looks like a field replacement copy of the original flask as it fits very nicely but is a little crude and has ball compartment lid missing. The pistols are sleepers with original varnish and untouched barrels with original browning and varnish. Browned barrels show signs of use with some light pitting/colour loss towards breech. Iron parts have even patina. No missing veneer to case or apparent repairs. Original lining to case. Flask missing compartment lid.

The original owner of these pistols was Cornet Edward Worley (crest and initials on lid escutcheon) of the 3rd Light Dragoons who was killed in the charge of the 3rd Light Dragoons carrying the regimental standard at the Battle of Moodkee on 18th December 1845 during the first Anglo Sikh war. Cornet Worley purchased his commission in the 3rd Light Dragoons on 16th August 1842. Best references for the Anglo-Sikh Wars are Donald Featherstone : 'At Them With The Bayonet - The First Sikh War' and George Bruce : 'Six battles for India - The Anglo-Sikh Wars 1845-6, 1848-9'.

Cased pair of best quality Cessier patent under hammer pocket pistols by Jean-Baptiste Cessier of St Etienne., circa 1820. 1.5” turn off 120 bore damas frisé barrels. Rounded case hardened under hammer actions with case hardened triggers and hammers. Tang signed in fine gold script ‘J Bte Cessier a St Etienne’. Dark horn grips. Pistols 6.25" overall length. Slightly later period mahogany case with close fitted blue velvet interior containing a combination barrel wrench and bullet mould. High degree of original finish remaining on both pistols. Mechanics in first class order. One pistol is in near mint unfired condition, the other has had minimal use with a small piece of horn missing on one side by the frame and the horn grip slightly distorted with age. Gold inlaid makers signature on both pistols in perfect condition with no losses. 

Jean-Baptiste Cessier (1781-1855) was apprenticed to Nicolas Noel Boutet at Versailles. The quality of his best work reflected his training. After returning home to St Etienne, Cessier continued as a Master Gunsmith producing mainly underhammer pistols of his own 1816 patent for a single trigger system. Pocket sized under hammer pistols by Cessier are extremely rare. Around 1840 he made a famous gun, now in the Museum of Art and Industry with a carved French Walnut gunstock, ‘Atlas carrying the Universe’.

The price includes UK delivery. No licence is required to possess this item in the UK if owned as a curio as part of a collection or display.