GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
EXTREMELY RARE PAIR OF ENGRAVED GOLD & SILVER MOORE DERRINGERS. MOORE PR DERRINGER 4194/4261 41RF SHORT Cal. 41 RF Short. Pistols are virtually identical with gold frames and silver 2-1/2" ovoid shaped bbls, half-moon front sight with the Moore Company name & address on top flat and 1863 patent date on the bottom. Standard production 5th variation pistols are nearly identically engraved in New York style, with about 70% coverage foliate arabesque patterns that have fine pearled background with an elaborate American eagle & shield on the top of each backstrap behind the hammer slot. Doug Eberhart in his 2011 text The Collecting of Deringers manufactured by Moore, National & Colt states "This deluxe specially engraved pair of Moore derringers...gold washed engraved frames, silver plated bbls. The 20 odd pairs of this very limited production...were made 1864-1865 and were (possibly) presented to US Military officers at the end of the Civil War." This is an exceptional set, much better than pair sold on these floors March 10, 2013, Lot 207, SNs 2253/3343 from the Eberhart collection and pictured in book cited here. Pistols also have additional checkered panels on the backstrap and butt. SN 4194 is engraved with a pear & leaves on the top flat forward of the hammer slot and SN 4261 is engraved with a very detailed flower blossom in the same panel. Matching patterns extend over both sides of the bbl with an arrow on each side pointing toward the muzzle so the shooter will know which end the bullet comes out. The bbl extensions are engraved with a chip & dot border which are also found on top flat of bbls. This is quite possibly the finest pair of these rare Civil War era derringers. PROVENANCE: SN 4194, James Kaekel Collection; Pg 121, Deringer In America, Vol. II, 1993. CONDITION: SN 4194 very fine. Bbl retains about 98% lightly tarnished orig silver and the frame about 80% orig gold-wash. Mechanics are fine. Strong bore with scattered pitting. SN 4261 very fine. Bbl retains traces of orig silver, being mostly a grey metal patina. Frame & grip retain about 98% strong orig gold-wash. Mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore. 50140-6 JS191 (15,000-25,000)