GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
FINE PAIR OF CASED FLINTLOCK PISTOLS INSCRIBED "LIEUT. COL. PHILIP P. HATHAWAY FREETOWN, MASS". FLINTLOCK PISTOLS NSN 69 Cal. 69. Most unusual to find inscribed flintlock pistols but this is a beautiful pair no doubt engraved contemporarily to Col. Hathaway's presentation circa 1830. Lt. Col. Philip P. Hathaway is listed with this rank in the 5th Massachusetts Infantry October 5, 1829 til 1833 in the 1883 "History of Bristol County" by D. H. Hund. The Hathaway family of Freetown, Mass dates back to the 17th century with several well-known family members who were military commanders in the American Revolution, War of 1812 through the Civil War. This beautiful pair of imported Liege flintlock pistols measure 13" overall with engraved iron mounts, 7-1/2" micro-grooved rifled 69 Cal. bores. This style of rifling was quite new at the time and no doubt this was an expensive pair of officer's pistols in their day. The accompanying burled case is compartmentalized for the guns, cleaning rod, bullet mold, oiler, powder measure, balls & flints. CONDITION: Guns are fine overall, appear orig & complete with well-fit engraved iron mounts. Bbls retain traces of thin striped finish. Proofs & inscriptions are crisp with scattered areas of light pitting. Stocks are sound retaining portions of orig thin varnish. There is a hairline crack forward of lock escutcheon on one gun & a barely discernible glued repaired crack to wrist on same gun. Trigger guard also has crack through its screwed base near butt. Mechanically both pistols are functional with crisp well-defined bores with bright breeches. Accompanying casing is sound & solid with 4" crack in lid with scattered dings, dents & other blemishes though still retaining much of possibly orig varnish. Iron 69 Cal. bullet mold is pitted. Powder measure, red Moroccan leather powder flask, oiler & wood tools makes a nice addition to box but are probably later editions. 50183-1 JS (8,000-12,000)