A CASED PAIR OF IRISH 29-BORE PERCUSSION SAW-HANDLED DUELLING PISTOLS

Details

A CASED PAIR OF IRISH 29-BORE PERCUSSION SAW-HANDLED DUELLING PISTOLS

BY RIGBY & SON, NO. 19 SUFFOLK STREET, DUBLIN, CIRCA 1818

Converted from flintlock, with signed rebrowned twist octagonal sighted barrels, scroll engraved patent breeches, engraved tangs each incorporating a back-sight, signed scroll engraved bevelled locks each with safety-catch and stepped tail (detents removed), figured walnut half-stocks, finely chequered butts, engraved blued iron mounts including spur trigger-guards, silver escutcheons, fore-end caps, and barrel-bolt escutcheons, original horn-tipped ramrods, and some original finish: in lined and fitted mahogany case with accessories (one compartment lid missing), the lid (cracked) with large trade label, the outside with flush-fitting carrying handle engraved 'Pills for Puppies', and circular escutcheon engraved with crest and motto
14¾in.

Provenance

Made for Richard D'Arcy of Rockvale, Co. Clare, who was deputy Governor of Co. Galway, or his brother James D'Arcy
Clifford Hellis
T.C. Worth

Literature

W. Keith Neal & D.H.L. Back, British Gunmakers Their Trade Cards, Cases and Equipment 1760-1860, plate 467
D.H.L. Back, Messers Rigby 1760-1869, p. 22, plates 4a, b, and 5

Lot Essay

Clifford Hellis organized an exhibition "showing the history of gun-making in England in the last three hundred years" [Country Life... November 1937] at the International Hunting Exhibition in Berlin, 3-28 November 1937. The exhibition was opened by Goering, who presented the late owner with a medal in recognition of his contribution to the British section. Keith Neal and Clifford Hellis also joined forces at the British Sporting Exhibition in London in January 1938. See footnote to lot 60

More from Arms & Armour

View All