GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
PAIR OF DOUBLE FLINT PISTOLS BY LEWIS ALLEY OF DUBLIN WITH CASE. 2 LEWIS ALLEY FLINT SXS 3573, 3574 50 Cal. 50. (.530 smooth bore) 7-1/2" Round bbl sets are engraved "L. Alley Dublin Fecit" on top ribs which are also marked with rack or inventory numbers "Q3573" and "Q3574". Breech irons have some semi-relief floral engraving. Locks have non-waterproof pans, with bridled friction frizzens, and feather springs with ball and spear finials. Locks also have beveled plates with long rebated tails, and are fitted with serpentine flat faced cocks. Plates and cocks are geometric border engraved; all plates with large "Ls. ALLEY". European walnut stocks extend to muzzles, have nicely carved beads and drop points with raised shell carving around breech irons, as well as knob grips. Furniture is of iron. Trigger guards have raised acorn finials, and floral engraving on bows. Heavy grip caps have floral engraving and long straps. Steel crest plates with relief foliate embellishment are at tops of grips, which have also been fitted at a later time for removable buttstocks (not present). Greenheart ramrods with horn tips, one with steel tail and worm, mount through beaded pipes and filed thimbles. Stocks are pinned to bbls. Mahogany case with dual hook and key closure has inset D-ring handle, and is lined in light blue cloth. A large paper William and John Rigby label is in lid. Case is deep and pistols fit well. There are three empty compartments with covers which have brass knobs. An open compartment holds nutcracker ball mold marked "40". CONDITION: Good with considerable repair. All metal parts are cleaned to pewter patina, with overall pinprick pitting. Stocks retain most of their hand worn orig finish, with numerous repairs, most notably front portions of both have been ended out; one pistol from half way along thimble to muzzle, and the other 3/8" behind thimble to muzzle. There is an old repair above left lock of "Q3573". Tail finial of right lock "Q3574" is missing. Right cock of "Q3573" is an old replacement. Bores are good, lightly pitted. Locks and frizzens are operable. Case shows considerable marks, rubs, and scuffs. Interior cloth is good with soiling and compressions. Label has numerous rubs through from contact with these pistols, but is mostly legible. A neat old pair of Irish pistols. Lewis Alley is listed as working in Dublin between 1770 and 1783. 50382-3 MGM259 (6,000-10,000)