December 13-15, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2022
James Wilkinson is recorded in Bristol circa 1784 - 1818. Pistols clearly manufactured as a pair with faux Damascus twist barrels with ribs marked "BRISTOL", small bead front sights, no rear sights. Barrels are slightly flattened on the sides near the breech, with engraved tang. Darkwood ramrod of later manufacture feeds directly into a reinforced mouth. Stepped, slightly banana shaped lock with beveled edges, engraved with bands of stiff leaf engraving at edges and step, with safety tab engraved with an abbreviated stand of arms below. Pierced swan neck cock, waterproof pan with detached fence and bridled pan cover (cover engraved with stiff leaves en suite with lock), roller bearing frizzen. Trigger guard with pineapple finial, engraved shields with bordered edges, curved finger spurs, and long tangs. Bag grips with wraparound checkering. Wrists with silver escutcheons with faint initials (JR?) with a feathered serpent on a torse. CONDITION: Barrels retain the vast majority of their browning, possibly original, with clear Damascus "twist", some silvering at muzzles and areas of fine pitting. Locks are very good with some areas of fine mossing, largely dove grey, with crisp legends and engraving; guards commensurate. Barrel keys chipped at head, minor. Stocks have numerous handling marks and impressions but are free of cracks or chips.Some heads on checkering are abraded, tang of (A) is lifting out of recess and should be addressed. A very attractive pair of pistols. Formerly part of the Allan Klein collection.
Caliber/Bore
(BOTH) .54 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
(BOTH) Wilkinson