Details

AN UNUSUAL PAIR OF GERMAN FLINTLOCK PISTOLS Circa 1740 With brass tapering barrels each with turned moulded muzzle and an engraved shell moulding at the rear, cut with the figures of Venus and Cupid on a partly recessed ground over the breech, inscribed with the couplet 'Kom Mir Ja Nicht Weiter'/'Du Kleiner Baerenheuter' on the half-length rib, and the vent lined in silver, engraved iron tangs, engraved bevelled locks decorated with a further Cupid figure, figured walnut full stocks with elaborate designs of scrolls finely carved in low relief about the barrel tangs and ramrod-pipes (one stock cracked at the fore-end, the butt with early patched repairs, the other with filled repair towards the muzzle), the butts inlaid with silver wire scrolls enclosing a silver demon mask plaque, (one plaque missing), full brass mounts finely engraved en suite with the barrels, including large butt-caps each decorated with the figure of Minerva beneath a baldachin, and the trigger-guards each decorated with the bust of a lady (one ramrod-pipe, one fore-end cap and both ramrods all replaced). 11½in (28.2cm) (2)

Special Notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 15% on the buyer's premium