September 29, 2021 The Bill Myers Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/29/2021
For a similar example, see page 164, figure 171 of "The Deringer in America: Volume I" by R.L. Wilson and L.D. Eberhart. V.G.W. Libeau listed himself in four New Orleans directories as a "Gunsmith from 1834 until 1842. His business and residence were listed as 7 Camp Street. This pistol features a rifled octagon barrel with patent hooked breech, top inscribed "New Orleans". The breech is engraved and has two inlaid platinum bands. Small brass front sight and small notched rear sight mounted at back of breech, towards tang. The back action percussion lock is signed "V- LIBEAU" at the top and is decorated with foliate scrolls. There is a small oval shaped wrist escutcheon of German silver and pommel cap is German silver as well with a hinged iron lid, cap engraved en suite with foliate scrolls. Barrel key escutcheons and forend cap are German silver as well. Iron target trigger guard engraved with foliate scrolls, plain iron ramrod ferrule. Complete with a replaced wooden ramrod. CONDITION: Barrel markings are faint and barrel retains a spotted grey patina. Lock retains a grey patina, markings excellent. Hammer spring is weak. Mounts retain a pleasing patina. Front ramrod ferrule is absent. Stock shows smoothing to checkering, a crack on right side of forend, and some scattered marks from use. A rare large New Orleans Deringer by a desirable maker. DMG