December 13-15, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2022
Maschek is recorded as working in Gabel (today known as Jablonne nad Orlici), Bohemia, circa 1842-1855. This is a fantastic pair of percussion pistols from the last part of the percussion age. Manufactured as a true pair in identical configuration, including "1" and "2" designations. Browned Damascus twist octagonal barrels with German silver front sights (with truing strikes), gold inlaid "J. MASCHEK in GABEL", and very pretty florals with mixed gold and silver over rearmost section of barrel with dual thin gold bands and a thicker silver band. 6 groove rifled barrels are even dressed at muzzle to simulate decagonal rifling. Over breech is an engraved grotesque with a gold portrait. Bulbous nipples with gold blowouts and engraved with florals over stippled grounds. Lockplate with "MASCHEK" in a vignette, with well executed floral engraving with acanthus and stiff leaf borders. Fully decorated side plates decorated en suite with locks, engraved "IN GABEL" in vignette. Half stocks with nosecaps with engraved urns and floral scroll en suite. Spurred trigger guard with engraved florals and grotesque face and a deeply cut urn finial. Double triggers with rear set. Grips with basketweave checkering in 2 panels, flared butt with inset cap engraved en suite with balance of pistols. In an associated case made by Gale C Morgan (stamped on rear) with accessories comprising bullet puller, loading hammer and starter combination tool, a clever welded powder measure, bullet mold, cleaning rod with jag on end, cork, nipple wrench, turn screw, and key. CONDITION: Overall excellent, retaining the vast majority of their finishes. Barrels are excellent, retaining virtually all of the browning with some minor handling marks, a few of which are silvering. Wood is excellent, with some minor handling marks, (A) has a somewhat deeper pressure mark ahead of lock. Engraving is crisp throughout. Escutcheon on pistol (A) does not line up quite right, probably due to wood shrinkage. Mechanically fine, bores are excellent with strong rifling and some minor abrasion. Case excellent, accessories very fine. Loading mallet a more recent vintage than balance. This is a lovely pair of pistols. EMW
Barrel Length
(BOTH) 9 - 7/8"
Caliber/Bore
(BOTH) .52 Rifled
Manufacturer
(BOTH) J. Maschek
Model
(BOTH) Percussion Pistols