Lot Essay
For information on Clay P. Bedford, see footnote to lot 202
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BY (PETER) WITTEMANN A GIESSEN (HESSEN), CIRCA 1730
Details
An Unusual Pair Of 18-Bore German Flintlock Pistols
By (Peter) Wittemann A Giessen (Hessen), circa 1730
With three-stage cannon barrels and actions in one piece, the former in three stages with a stepped moulding at the muzzle bearing a silver bead fore-sight, the breech sections octagonal then sixteen-sided, the actions signed below the steel-springs, brass-lined double touch-holes, reblued engraved tangs, swelling figured walnut butts lightly carved with foliage and with raised stepped apron at each barrel tang, engraved fire-gilt bronze mounts, cast and chased pommels each decorated with two overlapping moustached grotesque masks, trophy of arms escutcheons with crown above and iron stud trigger at their centre, each stud chiselled with a grotesque mask, trigger-guards incorporating the rear ramrod-pipe, and original iron ramrods originally held in place by a spring-catch (one cock replaced, the barrels with small areas of surface pitting)
16½in. (41.9cm.) (2)
By (Peter) Wittemann A Giessen (Hessen), circa 1730
With three-stage cannon barrels and actions in one piece, the former in three stages with a stepped moulding at the muzzle bearing a silver bead fore-sight, the breech sections octagonal then sixteen-sided, the actions signed below the steel-springs, brass-lined double touch-holes, reblued engraved tangs, swelling figured walnut butts lightly carved with foliage and with raised stepped apron at each barrel tang, engraved fire-gilt bronze mounts, cast and chased pommels each decorated with two overlapping moustached grotesque masks, trophy of arms escutcheons with crown above and iron stud trigger at their centre, each stud chiselled with a grotesque mask, trigger-guards incorporating the rear ramrod-pipe, and original iron ramrods originally held in place by a spring-catch (one cock replaced, the barrels with small areas of surface pitting)
16½in. (41.9cm.) (2)
Provenance
Clay P. Bedford, Phoenix, Arizona (inv. no. 714)
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.