GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
AS FOUND, CASED PAIR OF PRE REVOLUTIONARY WAR SILVER MOUNTED OFFICERS PISTOLS BY WATERS OF BIRMINGHAM. WATERS OF BIRMINGHAM NO MODEL NSN .559 BORE (ca 1775/76) Cal. .559 Bore diameter. 8" Iron bbls are stamped "PRO" "VED" on scroll engraved octagonal breech section, which transitions to swamped round through wedding band, muzzles slightly flared. Locks with flat chamfered plates and rebated tails have integral pans with bridled friction frizzens, frizzen springs with teardrop and teat finials. Flat faced serpentine cocks are also chamfered. Locks are engraved with geometric borders, some scroll, and floral highlights. "WATERS" is in scrolled riband in front of each cock (most certainly John Waters well known gunmaker from Birmingham working between 1766 and 1788). Dense European walnut stocks with raised beads and drop points around locks and sideplates, extend to muzzles and are pinned to bbls. Stocks are fitted with finely detailed cast silver mounts, hallmarked for Birmingham, sterling, with date stamp "C" for 1775/ 76, and with makers mark "CF" (Charles Freeth). Double beaded trigger guards with floral engraving on bows, have raised relief acorn finials. Butts are capped with grotesque masks. Sideplates are of scrolled relief acanthus finely inletted. Relief cast vacant crest plates with acanthus decoration, at top of grip are also hallmarked. This area is also embellished with typical for period, silver wire inlay in floral and scroll pattern. Late Georgian or early Victorian rosewood veneered case with inset brass corners and central brass shield, is lined in what was once most likely purple velvet, but is now brown. There are two compartments with walnut veneered oak covers having brass knobs. CONDITION: Fine, as found, showing considerable wear from continued every day use. Engraved details on iron parts are slightly softened from normal cleaning. Wood has many small marks and scratches in its orig finish. Silver has fine patina, and retains most of its detail. One pistol shows a 1" well done period of use repair in stock under cock. Removal of lock reveals an old replaced mainspring. This same pistol has also been cracked through to sideplate with period steel rectangle repair under lock. Otherwise locks are complete, original, and operable. What is most likely a later period of use casing shows an exterior refinish over many light scratches and marks. Interior cloth is very good. Pistols fit case well, and are pleasingly presented. 49224-2 MGM92 (5,000-8,000)