May 8-10, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/9/2024
This impressive set is prominently featured on pages 75 through 79 of "Charles Gordon's Magnificent Madness" by Donald Dallas, including a photo of Gordon's order for these dated January 4, 1899, for 16 bore percussion pistols nos. 5044/5 with "Antediluvian hammers" and patent hooked breeches. The pistols themselves feature twin blued Whitworth steel barrels with raised ribs and rear sights. They are smoothbore for use with a ball, tops engraved "JOHN DICKSON & SON. 63 PRINCES STREET EDINBURGH" on the rib of each. Marked respectively "1" on one rib and "2" on the other. Profusely scroll-engraved casehardened lock plates "antediluvian hammers" with detachable noses and scroll engraving with fire-blued springs. All mounts are profusely scroll-engraved and are case hardened except for trigger guard bows and rear tangs, which are fire-blued. Trigger guard tangs engraved with serial numbers 5044 on one and 5045 on the other. Double triggers. Stocked in figured walnut with shaped checkering around flat-pommel grips. Complete with fitted brass-tipped wooden ramrod. The pistols are contained in their oversized oak case with pigskin-lined French fitted interior. Every original accessory is present, with most accessories having duplicates. The accessories include: 2 brass powder flasks, 2 nipple containers, 2 patch-making punches, a pair of steel bullet molds, a wood and brass mallet, steel nipple wrench, a cleaning rod, a round percussion cap dispenser, 2 ebony handles nipple cleaning tools, 2 pewter oil bottles, 2 ebony handled screwdrivers, and a mainspring clamp. Also included is the original leather outer case cover stamped "CHARLES GORDON ESQ." CONDITION: Pistols excellent, showing minor handling and storage marks. Accessories excellent showing some minor signs of age and storage, flasks show some loss to original lacquer. Case excellent with some scuffing and minor staining to pigskin. Exterior case cover shows some scuffing and staining as well as minor losses to stitching.
Barrel Length
(BOTH) 7 - 1/4"
Caliber/Bore
(BOTH) 16 Bore
Manufacturer
(BOTH) John Dickson & Sons
Serial Number
(A) 5044 (B) 5045