May 27, 2020 Founders & Patriots
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/27/2020
According to "Arms Makers of Maryland" by Daniel D. Hartzler, In the collection of James A. Knowles, there is a flintlock musket of Brown Bess pattern stocked in walnut. the lock plate is marked "J.J. BEHR". The barrel is marked, "J. BEHR BALTIMORE TOWN". However, no public records or other documents have been found mentioning Behr as a gunsmith or resident of Baltimore. It is quite possible that at some time, Behr moved or migrated to America from Germany. These fine pistols both have tapered, round barrels with a faceted breach section and a long, top flat. There are engraved scroll motifs surrounding the brass blade front sights. Both barrels are inscribed "J.J. BEHR" surrounded by other engraved motifs. Near the breaches, both have an elongated panel of chased decoration on a gilt stippled ground. Both panels feature arms motifs, cannons, flags, pole arms, and a bugler seated on a cannon. Both have banana lock plates with flat faces and beveled edges. On the beveled edge beneath the frizzen springs on both pistols, is the insription, "J.J. BEHR". Both pistols have faceted, unbridled pans. The cocks and lock plates feature chased and gilded arms motifs and in the center, a warrior seated on a serpent surrounded by military arms. The solid silver furniture includes ornate pierced and chased side plates, featuring grotesque faces, lions, armor, and military motifs. Both trigger guards are chased with military motifs and soldiers on the bows and the finials terminate in acanthus leaf designs. Both pommel caps have full stirrups and are ornately decorated with chased foliate scrolls and cameo busts. Both have grotesque mask pommel caps in the center. Both ramrod entry ferrules also feature bearded, grotesque masks chased in relief. Both pistols have ornate, pierced wrist escutcheons featuring a bust of a Roman soldier above a grotesque mask. The full-length stocks are of highly figured walnut and feature relief foliate motifs behind the barrel tangs, cameo carving around the trigger guards, relief panels around the locks and side plates, and extensive foliate scrolls around the ramrod entry ferrules. The forends both have relief serpentine designs following the ramrod channel on both sides. CONDITION: excellent, overall. Barrels and locks are polished bright in the European fashion and retain crisp engraving and about 80-90% of gilt finish. Both locks function well and are crisp. Silver furniture is crisp and retains a mellowing patina. Stocks are very good; showing some scattered storage marks. A very attractive early-mid 18th century pair of pistols. Obviously owned by someone of great wealth and with a military background.
Barrel Length
(Both) 12-1/2"
Caliber/Bore
(Both) .65 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
(Both) J.J. Behr
Model
(Both) Flintlock Pistols