April 11-13, 2023 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/12/2023
Stockel records Dabat circa 1809-1823, and tentatively places him in Etienne. Pistols were clearly manufactured as a pair with "1" and "2' on tangs. Slightly swamped skelp twist Damascus barrels with silver bead front sights, accented with gold bands, with "Dabat" and "a Paris" on flowing gold bands offset the top flat. Case colored hooked patent breeches with dual old bands and a deeply struck poincon depicting a crowned over HR. Halfstocks with single retaining key does not feed through an escutcheon, forearm tip lightly fluted. Locks signed "Dabat / a Paris" with floral and scroll engraving. Sidebolt feeds through an escutcheon with shell motif and scroll dressed borders. Additional finial towards front of side panel. Trigger guard with an elaborate finial depicting an amphora overflowing with flowers, spurred guard with a spear and floral motifs. Stocks of quintessential French Empire form with wave pattern checkering, flared butts, case colored pommel caps with floral engraving and scalloped line borders; front strap with a small rosette. Cased in an oak case with an armorial shield in lid engraved "L. Hiaulme". Interior trimmed in green Moroccan leather with gilt borders, French fitted to fit both pistols, a combination loading rod and jag, chasing hammer, combination nippers and bullet mold, loading mallet, horn powder flask, turnscrew, oil bottle, and a missing pool, probably tweezers, and 1 insert that appears to be a wax centrefire bullet; 2 compartments for a French tin of percussion caps and a small patch of fur. CONDITION: Overall excellent, barrels retaining the vast majority of their browning with some marks from handling and storage throughout. Stocks are very good, with some pressure marks around key on "B" from improper handling and small replaced circle on pistol A, approximately 6mm in diameter. Metal rates excellent for the period, retaining the majority of the case colors, most losses to edges and trigger guard and finial. Both pistols need mechanical attention and hold on neither full nor half cock. Rifling is excellent, razor sharp. Case is good with missing keyhole escutcheon, normal handling marks, including some chips and cracks but strong and whole. Accessories with some handling marks, most visible on head of loading mallet. Leather trim very good, some age related distress and rubs but attractive. Accompanied by scans of "Repertory of Arts, Manufactures, and Agriculture..." where Dabat received a 5 year patent from December 28th for a new kind of lock and pistol.
Accessories
Case, Accessories
Barrel Length
(BOTH) 9 - 1/2"
Caliber/Bore
(BOTH) .51 Rifled
Model
(BOTH) Percussion Dueling Pistol
Paperwork
Patent Documentation