December 13-15, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2022
John Harcourt is recorded in Ipswich circa 1797-1830, and his touchmark is recorded in Stockel. These pistols are in identical configuration and clearly made as a pair, with larger-than-normally-encountered 10" octagonal barrels with gold lines and poincon on top flat over breech that reads "HARCOURT / IPSWICH"; Stockel depicts Harcourt's normal poincon as a lozenge but other oval examples are known. Diminutive front sight and tang mounted notch rear sight, gigantic .76 caliber smoothbore. 2 ramrods, one bulbous and the other with both male and female threads for attachments, probably the originals, are retained by a single ferrule and feeding into a reinforced mouth with line decorations. Flat locks with beveled edges, rear step, and small teat at rear signed "HARCOURT" under pan, with rays around lockbolt and at rear of step. Fenced waterproof pan, bridled pan cover, roller bearing frizzen, swan neck cock, and English push-on safeties. Single lockbolt with escutcheon. Trigger guard with a panoply of arms and rolled edges, with a well detailed pineapple finial. Full length stocks with 2 barrel keys and pin, with a "dry" appearance, but are smooth to the touch. Bag grips with point checkering. CONDITION: Metal is an even grey patination with areas of inactive oxidation as a result of a European style cleaning. Cock on gun (A) replaced, (B) is missing topjaw. Trigger guard has softened engraving from heavier patina than balance. Stocks are good with some impressions and handling marks, (A) has a crack from lockbolt to breech, (B) has a chip to rear, and cracks underneath the lock consistent with a mainspring kicking. Checkering is sharp with some abraded heads. Mechanically fine (B not tested to avoid further damage to cock), bores are good with a minimal amount of oxidation.
Caliber/Bore
(BOTH) .76 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
(BOTH) Harcourt