April 11-13, 2023 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/12/2023
Two Richard Hollis' are recorded in Birmingham: one with working dates from 1817-1840, and the other from 1829-1853. This example is just signed "Rich Hollis" and could feasibly be either. Pistols are in identical configuration and were clearly manufactured as a pair. Small bead front sights with faux Damascus twist barrels, thin gold line and thicker German silver line at hooked patent breech. Actual breech section with traces of case color hardening, spray of floral engraving, and a "LONDON" poincon. Case colored back action locks, signed "Rich Hollis" with sprays of florals and slashes around border, equipped with dolphin form cocks and fences about pans. Ramrods with German silver wrapped about the tip, on a half-rib under barrel and retained by a single iron ferrule and feeding into a German silver reinforced mouth. Both ramrods are probably the originals, with covered jags on reverses. German silver nosecap, barrel key escutcheon, spurred trigger guard, insert on left side of stock, and plaque at wrist with initials "GAN". Trigger guards with pineapple finials, small florals, and slashes en suite with locks. CONDITION: Overall very good. Barrels retain most of their browned Damascus finish with some losses to high edges and muzzle, with some scattered spotting. Locks, cocks, and breeches with flashes of case color visible, mostly in protected areas, such as recessed cock of hammer. German silver clean with some very mild tarnishing at recesses. Stocks are very good with some handling and storage marks throughout; pistol (B) has wrist shattered at one point and exhibits several areas of repairs, cracks, etc; (A) with much more minor crack from wrist escutcheon to side insert and small period repair near trigger guard. Mechanically fine, bores are excellent with strong, crisp rifling. A good example.
Barrel Length
(BOTH) 6 - 1/4"
Caliber/Bore
(BOTH) .45 caliber
Manufacturer
(BOTH) Hollis
Model
(BOTH) Percussion pistol