Lot Essay
This set was presumably used by a travelling salesman to show samples of pocket pistols available to gunsmiths and private purchasers
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BIRMINGHAM, CIRCA 1840-50
Details
A HIGHLY UNUSUAL CASED SET OF PERCUSSION BOX-LOCK POCKET PISTOLS
Birmingham, circa 1840-50
Comprising: a pair of 54-bore pistols with blued barrels, hammers, and safety-catches, scroll engraved white-metal actions, and chequered walnut butts with white-metal escutcheons and pommel-caps; a pair of 54-bore pistols with case-hardened barrels, hammers, and actions, blued triggers, and plain walnut butts with white-metal escutcheons; a pair of 54-bore pistols matching the first pair but with engraved brass actions; and a pair of 70-bore side-hammer pistols with octagonal barrels, engraved case-hardened actions and trigger-guards, and chequered butts with white-metal escutcheons, all the pistols retaining most of their original finish: in original fitted mahogany case lined in plum velvet, the lid (cracked) with flush-fitting carrying handle, Birmingham proof marks
The pistols 6½in. (16.5cm.) to 7¼in. (18.4cm.)
Birmingham, circa 1840-50
Comprising: a pair of 54-bore pistols with blued barrels, hammers, and safety-catches, scroll engraved white-metal actions, and chequered walnut butts with white-metal escutcheons and pommel-caps; a pair of 54-bore pistols with case-hardened barrels, hammers, and actions, blued triggers, and plain walnut butts with white-metal escutcheons; a pair of 54-bore pistols matching the first pair but with engraved brass actions; and a pair of 70-bore side-hammer pistols with octagonal barrels, engraved case-hardened actions and trigger-guards, and chequered butts with white-metal escutcheons, all the pistols retaining most of their original finish: in original fitted mahogany case lined in plum velvet, the lid (cracked) with flush-fitting carrying handle, Birmingham proof marks
The pistols 6½in. (16.5cm.) to 7¼in. (18.4cm.)
Provenance
A.W.F. Taylerson, co-author of The Revolver 1818-1865, and Adams's Revolvers
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis