AMER AUGUST 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/16/2017
LIFE LONG COLLECTION AND PROBABLY LARGEST GROUP KNOWN OF 18TH & 19TH CENTURY FLINTLOCK GUN POWDER TESTERS WITH PROVENANCE.Most every type of powder tester seen is represented here. Many are actual examples pictured in the definitive text: Eprouettes, a Comprehensive Study of Early Devices for the Testing of Gunpowder, RTW Kempers, published by Royal Armouries, 1998. Kempers notes several examples in collection are unique or no other examples outside certain museum collections. Testers are also shown in the article "Powder Testers The Combinations" By Paul J. Wolf. Copies of the book and article accompanies the lot. Many were used by armories and are very well made. Very few are marked other than having numeric ranges for the gun powder testing. There are all-iron examples, some with touch-holes for fire and others with complete flintlock mechanisms, three large spring loaded types have French makers or inspector marks. Some are crafted by gunsmiths or blacksmiths. Several are made in the style of single shot pistols which are the most often seen. There are also five made totally of brass of which one is dated 1852 and very heavily cast. Another of the all brass ones has a short cannon barrel with touch-hole and the pointer that reads the gauge is in the shape of a birds beak. There is a solid brass example which is maker marked by Henry Nock, London. Detailed pictures of every example will be on-line. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy the best collection of handheld powder testers that we know of ever assembled. SIZE: PROVENANCE: The Estate of Morris Racker. CONDITION: Overall very good. No restoration noted, though a few examples may be old facsimiles as these were very popular as novelties and curiosa collected in the early-20th century. All in all, this is a fine representative grouping that most appear original. 51956-57 JS (8,000-10,000)