GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
EARLIEST PAIR OF HENRY DERINGERS KNOWN IN ORIGINAL CASING, CIRCA 1829-1831, FROM DIRECT FAMILY DESCENT OF JAMES HALL WHOSE FAMILY FOUNDED WHAT LATER BECAME BETHLEHEM STEEL CORPORATION.DERINGERPERCUSSION PISTOLNSN40There are not many Deringers that Doug Eberhart has not owned and this pair he had wanted for many years. They had been in the family of the orig owner who purchased them directly from Henry Deringer until recently. Gun's measure about 8" overall, bbls are 3-1/2" with 7 lands and grooves. There are no markings on bbls, but locks are marked with single die stamps "H DERINGER / PHILADA". One gun has "Deringer" misspelled as can be seen in photos. Interested parties should read the attached provenance and article by Deringer authority Doug Eberhart, which starts; "The pair of Deringers shown in this article date to c.1829-1831, making them the earliest style of this iconic form of handgun. Just eleven examples of this first design are known, and this is the only cased pair to surface so far". Accompanying this lot is a signed and notarized affidavit of descendant telling of the descent of these guns from James Hall to him along with a copy of February 2015 Man at Arms magazine where these guns are presented in an article entitled "In the Beginning, There Was This Pair..." PROVENANCE: James Hall (1812-1881), Philadelphia; William Coleman Hall 1881; Robert Coleman Hall Brock, 1906; Henry Gibson Brock, 1940; Ex-Malcolm B. Barlow, 1961; Doug Eberhart, 2013; pictured and described pgs 14-16 Man at Arms magazine, February 2015. CONDITION: Guns are very good - fine overall. Guns appear orig and "as found". Bbls retain small traces of finish in protected areas and are overall grey with staining and light pitting. Locks, hammers, breeches and tangs are smooth and silver grey with traces of case hardening, top of one hammer has some pitting. Stocks are sound, retaining about 60% orig varnish. One gun has hairline crack on bottom between trigger guard and ramrod thimble, scattered cosmetic bruising and scuffs on flats opposite lock. Gun with hairline crack is missing half of its horn nosecap on verso. Silver escutcheons and thumbplates have silver patina and are well fit. James Hall's name easily discerned. Gold bands on bbl are still bright. The casing is sound and solid externally with numerous cosmetic scratches and bruises. Retains folding, fitted brass handle in lid with easily read ink inscription "James Hall / Lancaster / Penna" on bottom. Case has working lock with key and also has two hook and eye closures of which one hook is restored. Internally, accompanying tools are good to very good including a scissor mold and a combination wood & steel jag and worm. The 3-compartment flask has traces of lacquer with patina and fits well in its central compartment. Compartments show glued repairs as does lining. 50673-2 JS (27,500-40,000)