GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
EXTREMELY FINE HIGH GRADE CASED PAIR OF GASTINNE RENETTE DUELERS.GASTINE RENETTEPERC DUELLERNSN45Cal. 45. This most attractive cased pair of target/dueling pistols by one of France's greatest gun makers is nearly of 'exhibition' grade. The front action locks are finely engraved and the sculpted hammers en suite. The spurred trigger guard is finely engraved and reticulated toward the rear of the trigger bow. The steel buttcaps are engraved en suite. The 10" multi-groove rifled browned bbls are octagonal and fluted for half their length. The ebony half-stocks are very finely checkered at the butt in panels. Pistols are cased with a full compliment of accessories including bright steel bullet mold with integral sprue cutter, mallet, screwdriver, nipple wrench, diminutive powder measure, rnd cap box, larger rnd box for powder, rammer and cleaning rod. The orig dark wood veneered case is lined with green baize. This is a lovely pair of cased pistols by one of the great 19th century French gun makers, Gastinne-Renette was renowned during much of the 19th century, mentioned in novels by Honore de Balzac, and made guns for Emperor Napoleon III Russian Czars. CONDITION: Pistols are excellent overall, retaining most their orig finish. Both guns retain virtually all of their orig brown, though one gun has sharp edge wear, more noticeable than the other. Stocks are equally fine showing relatively no wear and only tiny, minor cosmetic blemishes with bright oiled finish. Case and accessories are overall very fine, matching condition. Case has several hairline cracks to veneer on lid and it is missing its shield shape plaque, lid is framed with two strips of brass inlay, slightly raised at the larger crack on bottom left. Lid to powder box has glued crack repairs. Functioning key is present. Mechanically, both guns crisp with bright shiny "like new" bores. 50657-5 JS (7,000-10,000)