WOGDON DUELLING PISTOLS

A MAGNIFICENT CASED PAIR OF 26 BORE SILVER MOUNTED FLINTLOCK PISTOLS WITH ORIGINAL ATTACHABLE SHOULDER STOCK BY ROBERT WOGDON

A very fine and elegant pair of flintlock duelling pistols by Robert Wogdon, London. Silver hallmarks for 1785 and silver makers mark of Michael Barnett. Duelling pistols with swamped browned 10” octagonal sighted barrels signed Wogdon, London on the top flat with Irish police registration marks (North Tipperary) on the side flats. N-T 2633 on the first pistol & N-T 2634 on the second. Complete with an engraved band of beadwork at the rear, silver fore-sights, finely engraved case-hardened tangs each incorporating the back-sight, signed case-hardened detented locks retained by two side-nails and each with safety-catch, figured walnut full stocks, engraved silver trigger-guards with acorn finial, octagonal silver ramrod-pipes, set triggers, and original ramrods, one with worm and powder-measure, the butts each with a fixing for the shoulder-stock covered by a close fitting silver plate engraved with owner's initials of TA. Complete with the original skeleton shoulder stock with silver butt plate which is engraved in the same style as the triggerguards. In original lined and fitted mahogany case with Chippendale carrying handle, correct front hooks and full complement of accessories including correct very fine Wogdon Flask, loading rod/mallet, turnscrew, bullet mould, old cast bullets and patches. The case lining is original and the case is fitted to take the shoulder stock with the skeleton stock fitting over the powder flask compartment.

Wood to metal fit exceptional with only minor marks to the stocks. Varnish looks to be an old refinish but patina is excellent matching the fine metalwork and exceptional condition silver mounts. All engraving crisp. Case has repaired crack to lid but is totally original.

Aesthetically and mechanically, Wogdon made some of the finest pistols in the Georgian era.

SOLD 

RARE RIFLED OFFICERS FLINTLOCK PISTOL BY JOSEPH MANTON

A very rare (we have never seen another) and original rifled Flintlock Officers pistol by one of the best, if not the best of the London Gunmakers, Joseph Manton. Heavy, rifled (nine grooves) 9" octagonal 25 bore barrel with front and rear fixed sights, two gold lines to breech with stand of arms engraved between the lines. Top flat of barrel marked 'London', captive steel ramrod. Walnut half stock with finely chequered wrist, vacant silver escutcheon, silver fore end cap and barrel bolt escutcheons. All iron matching furniture comprising border engraved with central starburst buttcap, spurred trigger guard engraved with matching border engraving and stand of arms, pineapple finial, ramrod pipes and engraved tang. Flat lockplate engraved J MANTON with wheat ear border, stand of arms and floral engraving with starburst, sliding safety, flat throat hole cock with matching border and floral engraving with squared off jaws, waterproof pan with roller frizzen, matching border engraving to frizzen. 14.5 " overall. This pistol handles particularly well helped by the spurred trigger guard which became popular in the early 1800's.

Pleasing original matching overall patina so we have chosen not to have barrel re-browned. All engraving matching and matching minor wear. Stock in good condition with handling marks commensurate with age and use but with no cracks visible. Rifling in barrel is slightly worn but still very good.

SOLD

A FINE QUALITY CASED PAIR OF 16 BORE FLINTLOCK DUELLING PISTOLS BY JOHN PROBIN

An excellent pair of cased flintlock large bore duelling pistols by John Probin, Gunmaker to the Prince of Wales. Octagonal browned 16 bore 9.5" barrels, silver fore-sights and notched front sight, gold touch holes and two gold lines to breech. Barrel signed J PROBIN MAKER TO HIS R H THE PRINCE OF WALES. 

Blued steel furniture comprising ramrod pipes, trigger guard engraved with Stand of Arms and foliage, superb engraved pineapple finials. Matching engraved tangs and flintcocks. Quality stepped locks with sliding safety, flat border engraved lockplates signed J PROBIN. Swan neck flintcocks with border engraved top jaws and roller frizzens. Superb figured Walnut full stocks with steel wedge barrel bolts and fine chequered butts. Horn tipped ramrods, one with steel worm. Overall length 15.25". In their fitted flamed oak case with D-ring recessed handle and front hooks, containing bag shaped flask, 16 bore scissors bullet mould, turnscrew, bullets, patches and flints.

Excellent condition. High percentage of original barrel finish and original blueing to steel parts - one pistol with slightly more wear to blueing than the other which is often found with cased pairs. Crisp engraving. Very fine stocks with minimal handling marks, crisp profiles and high degree of original varnish. Excellent case.

One final point. The overall patina of these pistols is excellent but patina fails to describe an often over looked but highly desirable aspect - the pleasant aroma of these particular pistols is reminiscent of a gunmakers/engineers workshop. Difficult to define but the purchaser will be forever sniffing these pistols!!

SOLD

A FINE 28-BORE FLINTLOCK DUELLING PISTOL BY DURS EGG OF LONDON

A fine 28 bore Flintlock duelling pistol circa 1805, with re-browned slightly swamped octagonal 10" sighted twist barrel with London proofs to underside, gold inlaid signature to top-flat D. EGG LONDON, gold-lined touch-hole, twin barrel bolts, border and scroll engraved top-tang. The pistols has a typical small bevel edge stepped lock with sliding safety signed in script 'D. EGG' with border and foliage engraving & roller frizzen spring. Sliding safety engages hole to frizzen. Finely engraved and blued furniture including butt cap and spurred square-backed trigger-guard, popular from around the 1805 period onwards. Walnut full-stock with finely chequered butt. A fine duelling pistol of classic proportions by one of the best London makers. Handles superbly and points well. 

With the exception of a few handling marks the stock is very fine. Furniture with 90% plus deep blue and crisp engraving. 100% gold to barrel signature. Working lock appears all original. Ramrod a replacement.   

SOLD

 A FINE CASED PAIR OF FLINTLOCK OFFICERS OR DUELLING PISTOLS BY WILLIAM PARIS CIRCA 1805

A fine Cased Pair of Flintlock Officers or Duelling Pistols by William Paris of Derby circa 1805, one of the best provincial makers. To quote J F Hayward from The Art of the Gunmaker 1660-1830 - "'of the few provincial gunmakers to produce really outstanding work during the latter half of the century was Paris of Derby".

Overall length 14.75" with 36 bore slightly swamped re-browned 9" barrels with top sighting flat running the whole barrel length signed 'Derby' in script, dove tailed silver fore-sights and notched front sight, single gold line to breech, gold touch holes. Blued steel furniture comprising engraved pineapple finial pillar-fronted trigger-guards of the French style which became popular in England circa 1800-1805, matching engraved tangs and ramrod pipes. Set triggers. High quality stepped bolted locks signed PARIS in gold oval poincon, matching foliate engraving, Swan neck flintcocks with border engraved top jaws, roller frizzens, gold filled pans. Superb figured Walnut full stocks with steel wedge barrel bolts, slab sided duelling style butts with crisply chequered shoulder and shell carving around tangs. Horn tipped ramrods with steel worm. The pistols complete in their fitted case with Chippendale handle and front hooks containing excellent 3 way flask, scissors bullet mould, interlocking double bladed turnscrew, pan brush, bullets and flints.

Fine condition (no replacement parts) with excellent blued steel furniture. The insides of the locks are also best quality. Very good stocks (one pistol has old repair to one crack by trigger guard) with crisp profiles. Excellent case. 

Overall an excellent graceful set of quality English flintlock pistols where the fine condition of the pistols matches the case condition. 

SOLD

AN EARLY FLINTLOCK DUELLING PISTOL BY JOHN TWIGG CIRCA 1770

An excellent untouched example of an early flintlock duelling pistol by John Twigg circa 1770.  Sighted 9.75” octagonal 28 bore barrel signed Twigg in script, LONDON in capitals - signature worn, gold touch hole. Border engraved stepped lock signed with Twigg’s second form of signature, 1765-1780 (see plate 185, Great British Gunmakers 1740-1790 by W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back for an identical lock). Swan neck flintcock, distinctive V cuts to top of lockplate behind the cock. Steel mounts, the engraved trigger guard with second pattern of acorn finial, ramrod pipes with horn capped tapered ramrod with single worm tip extractor. Full stocked with distinctive flattened sides finishing with vertical grooves close to the tail of the lock plate. Shell carving of second type of design (not symmetrical) carved around the steel tang. Stock in good condition but with old cracks each side forward of the triggerguard retaining pin.

An excellent untouched example of Twigg’s early work. According to W. Keith Neal, Twigg’s best weapons bore his actual signature. Twigg was one of the leading London gunmakers of the period. His business was situated at 132 Strand, London between 1760-1776 during which time Durs Egg worked for him. In 1776 he moved to Piccadilly, London where John Manton became his foreman before branching out on his own in 1781.

SOLD

A FINE CASED PAIR OF SCOTTISH NICKEL SILVER PLATED ALL METAL FLINTLOCK RAMSHORN BELT PISTOLS BY JOHN THOMSON, GUNMAKER TO HIS MAJESTY, PRINCES STREET, EDINBURGH CIRCA 1816-1827

A fine and very rare cased pair of all metal Scottish Pistols by John Thomson of Edinburgh, Gunmaker to His Majesty (14 Princes Street - Der Neue Stockel, p.1283). 36 bore, 7.25 " rebrowned barrels engraved Edinburgh with gold line to breech and inlaid gold thistles to decorated staged muzzles. Lockplates with fine scroll and border engraving plus J Thomson in capitals on each lockplate. Late style throathole flintcock with matching engraving, roller frizzens and gold lined pans. All metal brass ramshorn style stock with good quality engraving, nickel silver plated finish and solid silver escutcheons each side of stock. Blued belthooks. Plain metal ramrods. Plain ball shaped triggers. Engraved prickers. Complete in their original case with some accessories comprising ivory handled turnscrew (some yellowing and we are assured pre CITES) , ivory patchcase (again pre CITES), bullet mould, replacement flask (?) and original case key. 

It is a common misconception that barrels on these Scottish pistols were either armoury bright or blued finish. John Thomson finished the barrels on some of his finest pistols in brown. An example is the superb pair he made for one of Wellingtons Generals, George Ramsay, the 9th Earl of Dalhousie which survive in mint original condition. An inset photograph of one of the Dalhousie pistols can be seen on the right.

This cased pair of pistols were discovered many years ago bricked up behind a fireplace together with a cased Nock Volley Gun. Dampness had damaged both the Volley Gun and its case, likewise the Scottish pistols and their case. Like the Volley Gun, conservation of both case and contents was vital. The conservation for the Scottish pistols and case was carried out by the late Gunmakers to the Royal Armouries who also carried out a small amount of matched repairs to the case lining at the front which had suffered the most. All the original parts on the pistols were retained but cleaned and refinished at great expense. No replacement parts were used and no refreshing of engraving was required. The nickel silver plating is near 100% and original. The barrels were re-browned and locks case hardened with springs, triggers, prickers and jaw screw reblued using the Dalhousie original pistol finish as a guide. The pistols are therefore now in excellent museum quality condition with some minor wear to case hardening and blued items. One of the barrels suffered from damp more than the other so has minor pitting, otherwise metal finish is superb. Case with lifting ring handle was refinished at same time but not completely relined, retaining as much original lining as possible.

Very rare to find a genuinely cased pair of this type of Scottish pistols.

SOLD

A FRENCH SINGLE BARREL FLINTLOCK SPORTING GUN BY NICOLAS NOEL BOUTET, DIRECTEUR ARTISTE, MANUFACTURE À VERSAILLES, C.1800

A Rare 20 Bore Flintlock Single Barrel Sporting Gun by Boutet. One of the more restrained examples of Boutet's work, this is still superb quality and very elegant. Two-stage smooth bore 35" barrel, bead fore-sight set within a gilded surround, makers marks within oval lozenges, strong remnants of gilded arabesques to the breech-section, carved raised sighting rib, the left hand side barrel-flat engraved 'MANUFACTURE A VERSAILLES No. 81', florally engraved solid top-tang. Flat border engraved bevel-edged lockplate with stepped rounded tail signed 'BOUTET' and 'ARQSR', typical rakish flintcock with matching engraving to lockplate, carved frizzen with scrolled foot and large roller-bearing spring, chiselled decoration and scrollwork around and under the pan and partly scrolled rear fence. Walnut handrail stock with finely chequered rococco panels to the wrist and fore-end, bulbous comb, carved ramrod channel, ramrod with worm extractor and horn fore end. Superb yet restrained finely engraved and burnished iron furniture including raised trigger-guard tang, florally carved side-nail cups, broad trigger-guard bow, vase finial and carved ramrod thimbles. Overall length 50.5".

The stock has the normal handling marks and may benefit from being restored. Wood to metal fit is excellent with virtually no shrinkage. A decision has been made to not restore the stock on this sporting gun but a subsequent owner may wish to reconsider this aspect. Similarly, the barrel has traces of original finish but is untouched showing signs of its original magnificence but not restored and re-blued. Iron mounts are in excellent condition. Lock mechanisim is excellent, sadly the lock internals are hidden from view as they are superbly engineered like the rest of this Boutet.

Nicolas Noël Boutet (1761-1833) is without question the premier French gun-maker of all time. Throughout the French Revolution and Napoleonic period Boutet was the principal innovator and artist. His work is greatly undervalued when compared to other forms of art. Nicholas Noël Boutet was named Directeur-Artiste of the newly formed Versailles Arms Manufactory in 1792. The luxurious firearms started being produced soon after, around 1794, from his Versailles manufactory and were commissioned for presentation to Marshals of France as well as Royalty elsewhere in Europe and beyond. His presentation firearms and swords can be see in many of the most famous institutions worldwide today such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Wallace Collection, Royal Armouries as well as Royal gunrooms and Palaces.

As a database of serial numbers and years of manufacture does not appear to exist for Boutet, the dating of this particular Boutet is approximated to circa 1800 but could be from 1798-1809. However, the serial number of 81 is early so more likely to be circa 1800. The  Metropolitan Museum of Art has a Boutet Rifle which they date circa.1800 which has number 55 on its side  (Accession Number:1970.179.1a–q). Hallmarks on that rifle date the silver to the period 1798-1809. Other dating characteristics when comparing to other Boutet such as shown in Herbert J. Houze, “Versailles Civilian Presentations by Boutet”, in Man at Arms magazine, February 2014, p 29, give rise to dating evidence of manufacture between 1798-1802.

This is a rare and important Boutet available at a fraction of the price of his more sophisticated presentation arms and a fine investment which can be admired for his artistry. It is superbly balanced and points well as you would expect.

SOLD

A SCARCE COLT SECOND MODEL DRAGOON .44 PERCUSSION SIX-SHOT REVOLVER  

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. 

 SOLD

FINE STEEL AND BRASS MINIATURE WHEEL LOCK PUFFER PISTOL WITH SUPERB ENGRAVING

A finely made steel and brass Miniature Wheel Lock Puffer Pistol made in the late 20th century in the Nuremberg style of circa 1630. All steel stock in the style/shape of miniatures made by the renowned period miniaturist Michael Mann of Nuremburg (1590-1630) - see this link for an example. Stock is very finely hand engraved with animal heads on each side, serpents at muzzle fore end, grotesque masks, wreaths, tendrils and seated figures holding a helm (for identical engraving see Art of the Gunmaker by Hayward, plate 62b - a sheet of period designs for wheel locks circa 1657 by C. Jacquinet). Staged brass barrel with octagonal breech section, touch hole and engraved top flat, barrel length 2.15 inches. Finely made lock with enclosed finely grooved wheel and sprung loaded dog which has engraved eyes to the jaws. Sliding steel pan. Puffer style butt with steel ball enclosed in a brass wire cage. Brass and steel ramrod. Brass trigger guard enclosing twist engraved steel trigger. Overall length 4.6 inches.

Please note : Wheel Lock mechanism is in working condition but one chain link only is fitted which limits winding up the wheel to slightly less than a quarter of a revolution of the wheel (full size wheel locks wind to around half to three quarters of a turn). Pan is manually pulled back over grooved wheel after winding up wheel and dog/hammer is moved from safe fully reclined position to resting on top of sliding pan. Pulling trigger slides pan forward by means of a cam in the internal mechanism and wheel rotates slightly. A pin is supplied for deactivating the internal mechanism completely but it has been removed as the breech plug extends into the barrel covering the touch hole so the pistol cannot be fired. A key for winding the lock is present. Ramrod is slightly bent but if it was completely straight then it would be loose in its housing.

A unique piece of craftsmanship. This would have taken hundreds of hours to make and is the modern equivalent of an apprentice piece. The engraving is the best we have seen on such a miniature.

SOLD

STARR ARMS COMPANY 1863 SINGLE ACTION ARMY .44 PERCUSSION REVOLVER

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.

SOLD

A RARE EARLY SERIAL NUMBER CASED 80 BORE KERR'S PATENT 5 SHOT SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER

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.

SOLD

A REGULATION LIGHT DRAGOON FLINTLOCK PISTOL BY HENRY NOCK

A Very Good Regulation Light Dragoon Flintlock Pistol by H Nock. 15½” overall, 16 bore 9” round barrel with proof marks and feint Ordnance inspection mark towards breech. Border engraved rounded lockplate signed H NOCK on tail and Crown over GR, border engraved cock, regulation furniture including lobed butt cap, brass trigger guard, side plate and ramrod pipe. Replacement ramrod. Stock with inspectors Crown mark on sideplate and further feint Crown mark to rear of lock plate. This is a very good example of a Regulation Light Dragoon pistol by one of the best gunmakers of the period.

Very good all original metalwork with crisp barrel proof marks. Excellent lock and markings. Stock is very good with normal handling marks but none of the normal splits.

SOLD

A RARE AND FINE EARLY SERIAL NUMBER CASED 80 BORE KERR'S PATENT 5 SHOT SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER

5.5 in. (14cm) blued octagonal sighted barrel with five groove rifling. Blued grooved top strap, border engraved blued frame marked 'KERR'S PATENT NO 50' with London proof marks. Blued matching serial numbered cylinder with London proof marks. Border engraved back action lock signed 'LONDON ARMOURY. BERMONDSEY'. Plain trigger-guard with border engraved butt cap engraved '1st SUSSEX ARTILLLERY VOLUNTEERS No 5'. Bright rammer with locking catch. In original fitted oak case lined in green baize with full complement of accessories including an early type rare Kerr combination tool, a double cavity brass bullet mould, a Japanned Joyce and Co cap tin, a cleaning rod with captive screw, a Dixon oil bottle, a Dixon revolver flask and a rare original Eleys Percussion Cap bag with original Eleys and suppliers labels. The case lid has the original label for Kerr's Directions for Loading and Cleaning. Circular brass escutcheon to case lid and lock.

Complete with a very fine and scarce original Officers Helmet Plate of the First Sussex Artillery Volunteers from the same period. The silvered helmet plate with Victoria crowned Royal Arms, pierced around the shield, with scroll below inscribed "First" over an artillery piece resting on a scroll inscribed "Sussex Artillery Volunteers". Three loops to reverse. Revolver in fine overall condition with crisp edges and engraving and more than 90% blue remaining. Original cylinder has slight pitting where rested in case over the years. Bore is near mint. Case is original with original lining. Dixon revolver flask has broken spring and a few dents but displays well. All accessories in very good condition.

Additional notes:

This revolver incorporates British Patent no. 2896 of 17th December 1858 and 242 of 26th January 1859. The butt shape appears to be unique to the first 100 or so revolvers. Dixon revolver flask is of the Dixon Colt pocket type.

This is one of the earliest cased Kerr's revolvers. It was previously thought that the earliest cased example was in the Val Forgett collection sold through Rock Island Auctions in 2007 with a serial number just a few numbers earlier. However, the oldest genuinely cased Kerrs with matching armorial on case and 80 bore revolver is serial number 42 which was made for Admiral Sir Alexander Milne who was Commander in Chief North America and West Indies Station during the American Civil War.

It is clear from various articles and opinions on the early Kerrs revolvers and the Sussex Artillery that there are as many opinions as variations in Kerrs revolvers. For example, one article states that the 100 issued to the Sussex Artillery were in .44 calibre (54 bore) with serial numbers in the range 87-187. That is clearly wrong but the article was probably based upon a Sussex Artillery marked 54 bore Kerrs with a serial number in that range. Another online reference from a highly knowledgeable and respected collector recalls a Sussex Artillery marked Kerrs serial number 123 but in .36 calibre (100 bore). It is now clear that the 100 issued to the Sussex Artillery were not consecutively numbered and were made in 54, 80 and 100 bore variants.

During the 1860's, Shoreham Fort was garrisoned by the 1st Sussex Volunteer Artillery of Eastern Division, Royal Artillery, whose headquarters were in Brighton. They were formed just before 1860 as Rifle Volunteers from the local rifle clubs and were joined by artillery volunteers following the invasion scare of Napoleon III. The Sussex Volunteer Artillery was considered to be the cream of Volunteer Artillery units and in 1865 at the Shoeburyness National Artillery Meeting it won the Queen’s Prize and the Lord Palmeston Prize for accurate shooting.   

SOLD

A SCARCE FLINTLOCK OFFICERS HOLSTER PISTOL OF CARBINE BORE WITH FISH TAIL BUTT BY JOSEPH EGG OF LONDON

Joseph Egg, nephew of Durs Egg, is perhaps best known for his exquisite over and under flintlock and percussion Baby Eggs which rarely come onto the market and attract higprices. The period during which Joseph Egg made flintlocks in his own name was relatively short. He may have made a few (not Baby Eggs at this time) from his own premises in Great Windmill Street in 1800 but this was short lived as he formed a partnership with Henry Tatham the following year which lasted until 1814. At this time he recommenced trading in his own name from his shop at 1, Piccadilly on the opposite corner of Coventry Street/Haymarket - in fact directly opposite where his uncle Durs Egg had his premises between 1786-1804 (an Aberdeen Steak House in more recent times!).

Joseph Egg remained at 1, Piccadilly between 1814 - 1834 (his sons took over in 1835), it was during this period that he made his Baby Eggs, drawing upon the experience of the over and under flintlocks made in the Tatham and Egg period. The pistol being sold here was made soon after he recommenced work in his own name (shortly before the Battle of Waterloo) as within a few years his production of pistols soon switched to percussion with the exception of over and under pistols and cased duelling pistols which he continued to make in flintlock form for fashionable clients.

The pistol is 15 inches overall with a 9 inch barrel of Carbine bore (.65). The barrel is round but with a top flat which runs the whole length of the barrel. The barrel has a blade style fore sight with a V shaped rear sight and is marked London on the top flat. A captive stirrup ramrod is attached. The original lock has a roller frizzen with a semi rainproof, slightly raised pan. The finely engraved lockplate, which is signed in full JOSEPH EGG LONDON, has a sliding safety and characteristic 'wheat ear' border engraving. The throat hole flintcock has matching engraving with a squared off top jaw. The frizzen has matching border engraving. The fine engraving is matched on the tang and the trigger guard which also depicts a curled serpent. The walnut stock has a beautifully diamond chequered fish tail shaped butt with the characteristic Egg diamond with a cross in the centre of each diamond. Very original and in sleepy condition. The metalwork has an even patina with the lockplate (excellent action) in particularly good condition. The barrel has a small area of pitting between 5-6 inches down the barrel which from our experience is often caused by being kept in a holster. The wood is in very fine condition with very crisp profiles particularly around the lock and the barrel with the diamond chequered butt being a superb example of its type.

SOLD

A VERY GOOD CASED 16 BORE DOUBLE BARREL PERCUSSION SPORTING GUN BY WILLIAM DOOLEY OF LIVERPOOL

Very good cased 28" double barrel 16 bore sporting gun by William Dooley of Liverpool. Re-browned damascus twist barrels with Birmingham proofs and impressed makers mark of MW. Serial number 527 on underside of barrels with matching number on breech which has platinum lined touch hole. Makers name of DOOLEY, 76 LIME ST, LIVERPOOL engraved on central barrel rib. Back action locks marked with makers name with engraved game bird scene with dogs. Fine foliate engraving to tang and fore-end ramrod pipe. Double triggers with engraved trigger guard. Walnut stock with finely checkered wrist, vacant silver escutcheon to underside and two piece butt plate. Walnut stock is excellent with normal handling marks. Engraving overall is crisp except for underneath trigger guard. Excellent near mint barrel bores. Fine action. Steel furniture in excellent condition.

Complete in period Dooley Case with original makers trade label for 11 Ranelagh, Liverpool. William Dooley moved to Liverpool from Warrington, Lancashire between 1834 and 1835. In 1836 his business was situated at 46 Lime Street and in 1837 he moved to 76 Lime Street. Between 1839 and 1846 he moved to 11 Ranelagh Street where he remained until 1864 when he moved to share 9 Ranelagh Street with E & G Higham & Co. In 1865 Higham took over the firm. Early in the last century the business was sold to W C Carswell. Case is comprehensively fitted out containing wad cutter, brush, percussion nipple key, Joyce cap tin, Hawksley oil bottle, striker pot with spare set, Sykes Patent powder flask, two piece cleaning rod with mop, Sykes Patent shot belt with adjustable Irish Charger, percussion cap dispenser and spare wads. Case escutcheon engraved with owners name of Mr McLaughlan of Liverpool (not researched). 

SOLD

A CANNON BARREL 54 BORE FLINTLOCK BOX-LOCK POCKET PISTOL BY THOMAS KETLAND   C.1775

A very good quality Flintlock Cannon Barrelled box-lock pocket pistol circa 1775. Foliage engraved action signed in scroll on one side KETLAND (unsigned on other side of frame) with crowned TK makers mark for Thomas Ketland and the early Birmingham crowned P and V proof/viewers marks. 54 bore turn off 2" barrel numbered 1 at the breech with matching 1 on frame. Border line engraved sprung frizzen. Sliding trigger guard safety with flower engraving. Figured rounded walnut butt inlaid with silver with silver grotesque mask butt cap Overall length 7.75".

Excellent original patina with clear engraving. Virtually no shrinkage to wood. Minor losses to inlaid silver - approximately 85-90% remaining. Excellent action with working trigger safety and strong frizzen spring inset into frame. 

SOLD

  FLINTLOCK 50 BORE BOX-LOCK POCKET PISTOL BY DURS EGG

A good quality Flintlock Box-Lock Pocket Pistol by Durs Egg of London, circa 1800. 50 bore turn-off barrel 1.8 inches long engraved with a slender band of foliage around the breech. Rounded breech signed D EGG LONDON on one side and engraved with long ribbon and starburst on each side under frizzen, border engraved action finely decorated with a differing trophy of arms on each side, thumbpiece safety-catch engraved with a starburst and also locking the frizzen, ring-neck cock engraved with a serpent on each side, folding trigger within a foliage engraved border. Sprung roller frizzen with fine heart and border engraving. Tang and trigger guard screw heads engraved and finished in line which is always a good sign of quality. Finely figured walnut flat sided butt. Tower private proof marks. Overall length 6 inches. 

Good even patina to all metal parts, crisp proof marks and engraving, some minor pitting. Some wear to London signature on frame. Trigger correctly unfolds when action is cocked but is a little loose when folded back in recess. Sliding safety engages correctly at half cock. Sprung frizzen tight and excellent working condition. None of the normal stock shrinkage between frame and butt. Some minor handling marks to butt. 

An above average condition pistol by one of the best gunmakers of the period.

SOLD

FLINTLOCK BRONZE FRAME BOXLOCK 50 BORE POCKET PISTOL BY TWIGG OF LONDON

A good quality Georgian flintlock boxlock 50 bore pocket pistol by Twigg of London. Engraved bronze frame lock with flags/arms on either side around an oval signed TWIGG and LONDON. Sliding safety, line engraved flintcock and sprung frizzen. Steel triggerguard engraved with starburst. Excellent strong action. 1.75" turn off steel barrel with proof mark. Frame with matching proof marks under. Walnut slab sided stock. Handling marks to stock and marks to barrel but all original including top jaw and screw which are often replacements. Overall length 6.35". 

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