November 17, 2020 Early Arms & Militaria: Age of Exploration, Empire & Revolution
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2020
These pistols are in exceptionally fine condition and have been well stored since the early to mid-17th Century when they were made. Both pistols have tapered 5 - 7/8" two-stage swamped .52 caliber smoothbore barrels, which are blued and profusely decorated with gold overlays and engraved designs. Some designs include floral motifs, suns in splendor at the muzzles, and perched eagles at the breeches surrounded by floral motifs. Both polished barrel tangs are engraved with scrollwork. Both locks have flat faces with beveled edges and are decorated with engraved borders and marked in the center "A. ALLARY/ A ST. ETIENNE". Both locks feature faceted unbridled pans, decorated screw faces, and chiseled frizzen faces decorated with shell motifs. Both feature ornate iron furniture with its original bright polish, along with silver chased relief wrist escutcheons. Sideplates are engraved with shell and floral designs and trigger guards terminate in a flame finial at the fronts. The pommel caps feature Greek busts on a stippled ground, surrounded by a ring of chased floral motifs. Both are stocked in striped fruitwood and feature relief scrollwork and floral motifs around the barrel tangs and ramrod entry ferrules, as well as cameo carving around the trigger guards. CONDITION: Extremely fine. Barrels retain nearly all of their original blued and gilded finishes. Barrel tangs retain their original polish. Locks retain all their original polish and frizzens show no signs of ever having been fired. Muzzle faces and bores are also bright and touchholes no signs of use. Both are in their original flintlock configuration and mechanisms are as tight as when the pistols were made. Iron furniture is excellent, retaining nearly all of its original polish with some light grey patina on pommel caps. Both pistols retain their original iron ramrods with iron caps at the tips. Stocks are excellent, showing a couple minor hairline cracks and both retain a pleasing dark honey color. There is one minor chip at the front lock tang of one pistol, which has been professionally restored and one screw retaining the ramrod entry ferrule shows minor reinforcement. A fantastic pair of early French pistols in remarkable condition. DMG
Barrel Length
(Both) 5 - 7/8"
Caliber/Bore
(Both) .52 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
(Both) A. Allary
Model
(Both) Flintlock Greatcoat Pistol