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Lot 263:Pair of Early 18th Century Flemish Flintlock Holster Pistols

May 13th, 2022|Rock Island, IL

Lot 263:Pair of Early 18th Century Flemish Flintlock Holster Pistols

May 13th, 2022|Rock Island, IL

Price Realized:

Estimated Price$25,000 - $35,000

A) Flintlock Holster Pistol

These pistols from the first quarter of the 18th century have a pair of salmon hauriant and endorsed over "34" (A) and "35" (B) on the left side between the pommel tendril and trigger guard tang. These are from the coat of arms of the Salm family. The pair was previously sold as part of the armory of the Princes zu Salm-Reifferscheidt-Dyck and were then restored by Warren Sellke. The only other visible markings appear to be "HPP" on the left flats of the barrels near the breech. The smoothbore barrels have rounded brass blade front sights on sighting flats on the fore section with incised scroll engraving to the sides of the sights, raised scroll patterns at the tail of the flat, combination of incised and raised relief scroll patterns decorating the breech sections, shorter raised flats on top at the breech, a bust of Mars on top, and slightly humped brass tangs with dished rear sights. The gilt brass locks have non-bridled pans, "banana" profiles, goose-neck cocks, and raised relief scroll patterns inhabited by eagle head masks. The gilt brass furniture is also decorated primarily in raised relief scroll patterns and also have a variety of classical martial motifs and mask designs. The pommels have grotesque mask caps and classical figures on the sides. The wrist escutcheons have a bust of a nobleman at center and two bound men supporting it and a mask below. The intricate pierced sideplates' designs are slightly different on each pistol. The pierced side plates both have a boy with a horn patting the head with a lion, classical martial trophies, and a reclined captive. The boy on one pistol is blowing the horn, and on that pistol the captive has his hands bound behind his back and loose hair. On the other pistol, the horn is not being played, and the captive has his arms in front and is wearing a turban. The martial trophies on the sideplates are also slightly varied. The stocks have attractive molding terminating in raised relief carved floral patterns. One pistol includes a long tompion.

ConditionVery fine with silver-gray patina on the barrel and iron lock components, mix of bright gilding and aged patina on the lockplate and furniture, mostly crisp engraving and cast designs throughout, and minor overall wear from age and storage including some pitting mainly on the frizzen. The stock is fine and has an older coat of applied finish with some dark splotches, several small insect holes on both sides of the wrist and breech section, a few faint hairline cracks and small repairs, small area of loss around the rear trigger guard finial, and the usual light dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.

Details

ManufacturerFlemish

ModelFlintlock

TypePistol

ClassAntique

Caliber / Gauge62

Barrel13 1/2 inch round

Finishbright

Stockrelief carved walnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL

Catalog page197

B) Flintlock Holster Pistol

See "A." Provenance: The Tom Lewis Collection

ConditionVery fine with silver-gray patina on the barrel and iron lock components, mix of bright gilding and aged patina on the lockplate and furniture, crisp designs throughout, and generally minor overall wear from age and storage. The stock is fine and has an older coat of finish with some dark splotches, some small insect holes mainly on the right side of the wrist, small gap around the rear finial of the trigger guard, faint signs of minor repairs, and light dings and scratches. The lock half-cock and full-cock engagement needs some work, but otherwise functions fine.