May 27, 2020 Founders & Patriots
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/27/2020
Both pistols have long, swamped barrels with a relief top flat and a 4-1/2" panel of chased geometric foliate designs on top. Both have brass half-moon front sights. The ornate and early shaped lock plates have flat faces with beveled edges. The faces are engraved with detailed hunting scenes including dogs, antlered deer, and cupids. Both cocks are chased and engraved with scroll work on a stippled ground. The front tangs behind the frizzen springs of both pistols are inscribed "JOHAN HATISCHWEILER". Both pistols have faceted and molded unbridled pans and the fronts of the frizzens have chased acanthus leaf designs. Both pistols have chased and engraved gilt brass mounts. Mounts feature hunting motifs, animals, geometric designs, and foliate scrolls. The wrist escutcheons display large ducal crowns with a vacant oval, surrounded by a lion on each side. The pommel caps have a chased, high relief face, probably that of the owner. The petite stocks are of highly figured walnut and have extensive relief designs and scroll work around the barrel tangs, ramrod entry ferrules, and trigger guards. There are also relief panels terminating in acanthus leaf designs along the locks and side plates. These pistols date to the early 18th century. CONDITION: Excellent, overall. Both pistols appear to be from a Cassel collection and have been kept clean in the European fashion. Ferrules are bright with some scattered light freckling. Locks are crisp and function flawlessly. One cock appear to have a possible professional repair at the neck. Signatures and engraving are crisp. Mounts retain generous amounts of their original gilt finish with some wear to high edges. One wrist escutcheon has an area of damage to the lion on the right side and the details are now obscured. Stocks are very good with crisp carving and some scattered grain cracks and minor repairs. One pistol with a minor splinter replaced near the nosecap. Both ramrods are original and have a threaded attachment for cleaner or ball puller. A very attractive and early pair of high art German pistols.
Caliber/Bore
(BOTH) .60 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
Johan Hatischweiler