October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
For another identical example, see "Historic Pistols" pages 214-215 by Samuel E. Smith and Edwin W. Bitter. John Guest was a partner in the firm of Henry Guest & Brong in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. They entered a contract dated November 19th, 18-7 with Trench Cox of the Proveyors Office for 400 pairs of pistols. They never completely fulfilled the contract. Guest, who operated the Warwick factory, like many gunsmiths of the time bought his locks from Drepert. The other makers bought their locks from Sweitzer & Co. Guest delivered 184 pistols in 1809 and six are known to have survived. The round barrel has a small front sight and the breech is deeply stamped with an eagle's head over "P" sunken cartouche. The top is stamped "J. Guest" is script. The flat lockplate has beveled edges and is stamped "US" at the tail and "DREPERT" in the center. Standard brass 1807 contract furniture and plain full length wooden stock. Complete with an associated ramrod. CONDITION: Barrel and lock have been cleaned and now retain a light grey patina with some cleaning marks and scattered light pitting. Markings are excellent. The lock is in its original flintlock configuration and functions well. Brass retains a mustard patina. Stock is very good, showing only a few scattered marks, a minor hairline crack on the back of the grip, and a small piece replaced on the back of the lock tang. With only six examples known, this is an extremely rare and desirable Martial pistol. DMG
Caliber/Bore
.54 Smoothbore