December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2023
These outstanding pistols were clearly made as a pair with identical configurations. Barrels are rounded with flatted sides at the breech, extensively carved with chisel cut florals and geometrics about the breech, with a focal vignette of a Greek soldier wearing a classical helmet, and boldly signed "G: B: ZVGNO" in a piece of inlaid silver at the sighting plane. Extremely ornate sideplates are decorated in the same pattern and have a vignette of what appears to be the same man. The beveled edge banana lock is equipped with an unbridled pan cover with curl at lip, swan neck cock, and integral waterproof pan, engraved with further geometrics, and accented by a portrait of a man with a laurel wreath on the cock screw and a small floral sprig at rear teat; the laurel wreath was associated with victory, especially military triumphs, and there are several stories relating to Caesar and laurel wreaths. The lock is accented by inlaid gold wire about the engraving and is proudly signed "G.B. ZVGNO" on the bottom bevel. Ramrods, likely the originals, with silver balustrade heads and pipes, are retained by a single pipe feeding into a reinforced mouth with a balustrade head and flowing into a silver floral finial, engraving en suite. Silver trigger guard with long floral urn finials on either end is decorated en suite and has a vignette of another helmeted warrior on the guard. Silver bow with a long tail is signed on the plate for the third and final time. Silver buttcaps with medium-length stirrups and further excellent en suite engraving and depict a third warrior on a tiered pommel. The burl walnut stocks are decorated with relief molding throughout and are inlaid at the wrists with a coat of arms depicting a walnut tree, a Toulouse cross, and an inescutcheon showing a bell, surmounted by a cross portent across the top, impaled to a crest with three bends, all surmounted by a ducal crown and wreathed in a floral device. The arms are those of Jean Louis de Nogaret de La Valette, the first and created Duke of Epernon, an extremely important member of the French nobility during the turn of the 17th century. Jean Louis fought with the Catholics during the Wars of Religion and during the Siege of La Rochelle, which caught the attention of the to-be Henry III. He quickly became one of Les Mignons, and the to-be king bestowed Nogaret de La Valetta with numerous titles, including maitre de camp of the Champagne Regiment, Governer of Fere, of Boulonnais, Loches, Lyon, Metz, and the surrounding areas, of Normandy, of Caen, of Le Havre, Knight of the Order of the Holy Spirit, Colonel-General of the Infantry, and more. Jean Louis opposed the rise of Henry of Navarre after the assassination of Henry III, and, while he was eventually forced to submit, was part of the conspiracy that assassinated Henry VI and supported Louis XIII and his mother as regent until Louis was old enough to take the crown. A military man through and through, fighting well into his old age, Nogaret de la Valette was involved in the suppression of the Huguenots and was military governor of Guienne. Unfortunately, his poor relationship with Henri de Sourdis led to a physical altercation in public, and de Sourdis demanded, and received, that Nogaret de La Valette be excommunicated. He died in January 1642 and was buried at Saint-Blaise de Cadillac, Gironde. When the tomb was destroyed in 1792, the state of fame was saved and is now in the Louvre, while other fragments are preserved in the Museum of Aquitaine. Nogaret fought deep into old age, leading his sons into battle, and he had many children, both legitimate and illegitimate. CONDITION: Overall excellent. Metal is bright and was carefully cleaned in the European fashion at some point in the past, with some mossing and light patina that does not detract. Silver is bright; engraving and detail work is crisp throughout. Stocks are very good, with some handling marks and softening from age. Both pistols have a crack at the fore barrel pin and under the locks, running to fore finial, stable. Mechanically fine, bores are very good. An extremely attractive and interesting pair of pistols with ties to an important Frenchman.
Barrel Length
(BOTH) 9 - 1/2"
Caliber/Bore
(BOTH) .62 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
(BOTH) G.B. Zugno