May 17, 2022 Early Arms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/17/2022
These pistols are accompanied by a copy of a letter concerning the descent of the pistols through the Decatur family. The pistols are referred to as the "so-called 'silver dueling pistols'". The writer, Stephen Decatur, states that he recalls discussion amongst his parents about the weapons. He believes that the pistols belonged to Commodore Decatur and that they descended through the family from his grandfather, Stephen Decatur, who died in 1935. He had three children, James Austin's (recipient of the letter) mother being one of them. The original owner of the pistols was Stephan Decatur, Sr. (1751-1808), an American privateer in the Revolutionary War. During the war, he commanded the vessels the "Royal Louis" and the "Fair American". The pistols themselves are silver mounted officer's pistols made by Richard Wilson. They feature swamped round paktong barrels with "LONDON" on tops within a classic teardrop cartouche. On the left sides of the breeches, there are London private view and proof marks, as well as "* / RW" for Richard Wilson. The pistols have convex lockplates inscribed "Wilson" in centers. Silver mounts with London hallmarks for 1772 and "IK" for silversmith John King. The silver mounts include castle tower sideplates with arms motifs, pommel caps, wrist escutcheons with arms motifs, foliate trigger guards, and plain ferrules. The walnut stocks are of classic Georgian form and feature relief-carved shells around the barrel tangs and relief panels terminating in teardrops around the locks and sideplates. CONDITION: The pistols show long and extended use through their history in the Decatur family of recognized military heroes. The barrels have excellent markings and crisp engraving, percussion bolsters on. right sides of breeches. Locks have both been converted to percussion and the hammers broken off and absent. Silver mounts are excellent and retain a pleasing pewter patina, one pommel cap has a large dent on back. Stocks are bleached and one shows scattered areas of missing wood, especially around pommel cap and on forend. Pistols have their original wood-tipped ramrods. The pair could be restored fairly easily and inexpensively. A very important pair of officer's pistols belonging to an American naval hero and descending through his important American family. PROVENANCE: These pistols descended through the Decatur family and have been consigned by a descendent. A notarized statement verifying this information and signed by the family, is included. DMG
Barrel Length
(BOTH) 8 - 1/4"
Caliber/Bore
(BOTH) .62 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
(BOTH) Richard Wilson