GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
RARE CASED PAIR OF LIEGE MULTI-GROOVE TARGET PISTOLS, "BALLEDENT, EPERNAY".BALLEDENTPERCUSSION PISTOLSNSN54 CALCal. 54. French fitted purple velvet casing holds two 14" decorated engraved steel mounted single shot pistols with 7-3/4" bbls. Casing contains red wood hammer, cleaning rods with brass tips, bbl shaped lidded cap tin, wood handled nipple wrench, single cavity ball mold and a fine round flask with detachable powder measure, flask has raised relief scene of heron and wolf. Mahogany casing has owners escutcheon plate "COMBAL" over script "PC". CONDITION: Very good overall, smooth metal with bbls showing about 1/2 their thin striping, remnants of case colors on buttcaps and breeches, locks show hints of case colors in protected areas, metal otherwise is smooth and silver/gray. Guns originally had trigger bow spurs which have been professionally removed, 1 gun has broken set screw rear of trigger. Hammers are both restorations, 1 of 4 silver escutcheons to bbl pin slots is loose all with silver patina. Checkered and engraved stocks are sound, solid, well fit with hand worn patina. Wood hammer has tacking marks. Mold has been cleaned with traces of blue. Covered compartment retains about 20 lead balls with polished bone finial. Mechanically guns have extremely strong springs, are functional with distinct tiny grooved rifling (about 60 grooves)in bores. Casing is sound with good grain and varnish, interior is light faded and stained. Flask retains much of its original varnish with good patina, dented on verso. 50165-1 JS (3,000-5,000)