February 17-19, 2020 Field & Range Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/17/2020
Constructed for use with wax bullets at the turn of the century, allowing two duelists to settle their disagreement without spilling a drop of blood. Side lever breechloaders, octagonal blued barrels, checkered forearms with case colored locking levers, and checkered pistol grips with case colored caps and urn extensions. Spurred blued trigger guards with distinctive cutout and slot for handguards, dovetailed front and rear sights. Case colored receivers and blued barrels, trigger guards, and hammer. Sides of hammers are appropriately in the white, as are locking lug flats. Pistols are housed a two flat green baize lined oak case with top flat holding both pistols, a brass cleaning rod, and six empty wax bullet cartridges. Second flat holds two mops, a bullet mold, two more wax cartridges, one with a cast wax bullet, two handguards, a box of 75 primers, a brass casting funnel, and what appears to be a decapping rod with a pointed tip. Baize lining marked on inside cover "LEPAGE Freres / 12 RUE MARTEL / PARIS". CONDITION: Very fine, retaining the vast majority of their bluing and case coloring, with just a few very minor marks from handling and operation; both barrels have splotches of bluing flaking to brown. Forearm levers of both pistols heavily rubbed against lining. The wood is extremely fine with sharp checkering and good coloration. Actions work appropriately, bores are excellent, bright and shiny with sharp rifling, and just a touch of very light pitting at the breech. Accessories are very good, cartridges have some very light traces of oxidation as a result of use, other accessories with age patina. Case is very good with some nicks and dings acquired over the years and minor mothing to baize. Accompanied by paperwork when this set was sold at Sotheby Parke Bernet, September 1973, and correspondence with the NRA circa 1973 when the buyer from Sotheby's inquired for information. An extremely attractive set of very rare pistols! EW
Accessories
Case with accessories
Barrel Length
(BOTH) 10 - 7/8"
Caliber/Bore
(BOTH) .44 Rifled
Manufacturer
(BOTH) Le Page
Serial Number
(A) 1 / 160 (B) 2 / 160