May 17, 2022 Early Arms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/17/2022
This is an extremely rare American dueling pistol made by well-known and prolific gunmaker Henry E. Lehman in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the only one ever encountered by this writer. Probably one of an original pair for presentation or special order, the pistol consists of a rifled octagonal barrel featuring a patent hooked breech, a German silver front sight, and a notched iron rear sight. Top barrel flat stamped "H.E. LEMAN" in an arch and "LANCASTER PA". The scroll engraved lockplate features a sliding half-cock safety and a flash guard. Lock is stamped "H.E. LEMAN LANCASTER PA". Breech, barrel tang, iron trigger guard, lockplate, and hammer are all engraved with foliate scrolls in the English style. The pistol features a trigger and engraved iron target-style trigger guard with a pineapple finial. German silver hardware includes barrel key escutcheons, nose cap, and wrist escutcheon. Iron ramrod ferrules. Attractive partially figured walnut half stock with shaped checkered panels on both sides of grip. Complete with a period, original wooden ramrod. Percussion Pistols manufactured by Leman are rare and this example is likely unique in form. CONDITION: Barrel retains a mostly bright surface with scattered light brown spotting. Markings are excellent and rifling shows little wear. Action functions well and retains a grey patina, markings excellent. Iron furniture retains a grey patina and German silver retains a yellowed patina. Stock shows wear to checkering, scattered marks from use, a small sliver along barrel on left side, hairline crack from front of triggerguard finial to rear ramrod pipe and a piece missing above the front of lock tang (easily repaired by a competent gunsmith). A very rare and fine, signed American percussion pistol. DMG