February 17-19, 2020 Field & Range Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/17/2020
Many English flintlock pistols sold as dueling pistols are actually officer's pistols and not specifically designed for the duel. This pistol by Sykes is made strictly for dueling. The heavy, octagonal barrel sparsely decorated with two platinum bands at breech, tiny partridge foresight. Bolted lock with push-on safety finely engraved with scrolls and tooth border. Hammer engraved en suite with lock. Top jaw engraved with rays. Frizzed with border engraving en suite with lock. Rainproof pan. Breech with platinum blow-out plug. Lock signed "SYKES / OXFORD". Square trigger guard with pineapple finial. Figured walnut 3/4 stock with silver thumbpiece and walnut checkered bag butt. CONDITION: Barrel has some twist Damascus visible through minor pitting. Liege proof on left flat indicates presence in Belgium at some point during its working life. Lock in good condition with all original small parts. Push-on safety not working. Action is crisp. Set trigger needs adjustment. Figured stock in good condition with horn forend tip slightly proud of stock. Old varnish possibly renewed with minor marks. Horn tipped ramrod without worm possibly a period replacement. A real, heavy English flintlock dueling pistol with weight meant to steady the nerve of the duelist. MZ
Caliber/Bore
.52 Smoothbore