May 27, 2020 Founders & Patriots
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/27/2020
These exceptional pistols have highly decorated barrels, featuring engraved and gilded designs. Including "INDEPENDENCE" in an arched banner at the breach on both. Above this, there are small cartouches featuring a federal "chicken eagle" on a gilt ground. Around the brass front sights there are gilded and engraved sunbursts. Both barrels also have gilt wreaths with stars inside them. Both barrels have deep, straight rifling. The barrel tangs are also engraved. Both locks are American made and have flat faces with faceted hands and a rounded molding at the tails. The brass furniture includes the classic French style side plates associated with the maker Halbach of Baltimore, Maryland. Both side plates are engraved with borders and shell designs. The trigger guards have an ornate flower on the bows and terminate in engraved acorn finials. Both brass pommel caps feature relief patriotic American eagles with shields on their breasts. Their heads are surrounded by twelve stars. Both pistols have heavy turned caste ramrod ferrules. Both are stocked in plain walnut and have ornate relief-carved, elongated shells along with other foliate motifs along with incised stars. Both pistols have black horn nosecaps and wooden ramrods with horn tips and CONDITION: Barrels retain a brown patina with perhaps 40-50% of gilt wash remaining on designs. Both pistols have excellent professionally reconverted locks, now retaining a dark grey patina. Both locks function properly. Brass mounts retain a polished but mellowing surface. One trigger guard with a possible repair to the finial. Stocks have excellent, sharp carving showing very little wear. One pistol has a professionally repaired crack at the wrist. Otherwise, a few minor age cracks and scattered marks from use. A very attractive pair of federal American pistols.
Barrel Length
(Both) 6 - 3/4"
Caliber/Bore
(Both) .70 Rifled
Manufacturer
(Both) Halbach, Attributed