September 20th 2015 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/19/2015
Barrel lengths 6", .52 bore flintlock Offered is one of the finest and most detailed cased set of small flintlock belt pistols. This matching pair is housed in its original French fitted dealer case stamped Verney Lyon. Pistols measure 11" in length and would be referred to as pocket pistols of the era. Each pistol features a one piece walnut stock that feature nearly full coverage ornamentation of finely inlayed sterling silver decoration. Many of the silver inlays are as thin as a strain of hair as they open up into flowering leafs. In addition to this incredible silver stock inlay the scalloped barrel flats feature gold inlays with a similar gold inlay near front sight and on tang. The pummel and trigger guard are plated and feature leaf carvings with fine border engraving. The silver forward tang is finely engraved. The hammer and lock plate exhibit light engraving. The stocks are excellent with retaining all of their original finish. Both pistols exhibit the same level of intricate and ornate detailing and are custom French fitted in their period Verney original case with all of the accessories to include: a miniature wood handle 2" screw driver, wood handled brush, wood and brass oil bottle, turned wooden cap container, wood handled turn screw, wood and brass tampon, brass jag, large single cavity bullet mold and an embossed powder flask stamped PFDF Paris with adjustable charger. Each pistol and every accessory fits tightly into the original blue velvet French lining which has been so precisely manufactured that most of the accessories will not fall out when case is turned on end. Both pistols have the added feature of the sliding hammer safety. One of the finest and highly ornate French pistol sets to come out of Paris during the 18th century. It is the type of set that would have sold to only the wealthiest or those of noble birth and are rarely seen outside of a museum. Rarely does a wooden display case deserve as much attention nor has one been offered with such intricate detail. The case is a series of contrasting wood veneers with oyster shell inlays and a large silver shield with the original owners monogram.