July 12-14, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/12/2022
Thomas Blissett is recorded at Liverpool circa 1837-1870, as per Stockel. Both pistols were clearly manufactured as a pair with identical features including brass bead front sights, notch rear sight on tang, "LIVERPOOL" engraved on top flat of octagonal barrels. Barrels marked on lower right flat with "WP 1407" (both pistols, not Irish 1843 registration numbers, meaning unknown), and Birmingham proofs. Underside of barrels with truing strikes. Barrels retained by single keys that feed through German silver escutcheons. Hooked patent breeches with lightly engraved top flat and floral engraving on drum. Back action percussion locks with light floral engraving and bordered engraving, signed 'BLISSETT". Swan neck cock and top tang engraved en suite. Captive ramrod feeds directly into a reinforced mouth. Trigger guard with floral scroll en suite with lock, pineapple finial. Checkered bag grips, wrist with octagonal lozenge engraved with initials "JRG". Housed in a wooden case with 2 hook-and-eye clasps and keyhole on front. Accessories comprise a combination nipple wrench/pricker, bullet mold marked "28" (for caliber), a pair of what appear to be ball pullers that are too short to reach the breech, screwdriver head to fit nipple wrench, a rather ornate little mainspring vice, a threaded worm, and a threaded wire mop. CONDITION: Pistols are both very good, barrels with evidence of original brown "Damascus" finish, no longer vivid but very clear. Metal is an even gunmetal grey with some darkening to locks, cocks while trigger guards are somewhat brighter. Inside of trigger guards and some protected areas have flashes of the original high polish English blue still visible. Wood is very good with some handling marks and impressions throughout but free of chips or cracks; a few spots of finish crazing and lifting. Mechanically fine, bores are very good. Accessories are very good with handling marks throughout. A good set. EMW
Barrel Length
(BOTH) 4 - 1/2"
Caliber/Bore
(BOTH) 28 Bore
Manufacturer
(BOTH) Blissett