3379

CASED PAIR OF WILLIAMS & POWELL PERCUSSION PISTOLS

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,500.00 USD Estimated At:7,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
CASED PAIR OF WILLIAMS & POWELL PERCUSSION PISTOLS

CONVERTED FROM FLINT WITH CASE AND ACCESSORIES, REPORTEDLY ONCE THE PROPERTY OF THOMAS BENTON WHO'S BROTHER JESSE SHOT ANDREW JACKSON IN A BAR FIGHT IN 1813. Cal. 66. NSN. This good quality pair of pistols have 8 1/2" twist octagon barrels with under ribs and are engraved "Liverpool" on tops. Inset patent breeches with four inlaid platinum lines are converted to percussion with well done drum and nipple. Locks with rebated squared tails are fitted with flat faced percussion hammers. Lockplates are engraved with scroll and "WILLIAMS & POWELL". (Working 1833-70). Trigger plates with set triggers have stylized pineapple finials. Scroll engraved trigger guards have finger spurs. Walnut half stocks have checkered flared grips with relief carved bottoms surrounded by silver bands. Stocks are fitted with large vacant silver ovals at tops of grips and silver forend tips. Tip of one gun has "XXXXX" hand scratched. Ebony ramrods with brass tips and tails are held by single plain pipes and matching thimbles. Stocks are attached to barrels with single captive sidebolts through oval steel escutcheons. Pistols are housed in their original mahogany case with flush mounted folding square handle. Interior is lined in green cloth and a "WILLIAMS & POWELL" "SUCCESSORS TO THE LATE" PATRICK" "GUNMAKER" "LIVERPOOL" label is in lid. Bottom compartment contains small unmarked copper bodied powder flask, ebony handled powder measure, rosewood brass and ebony loading mallet/rod and another loading rod with steel worm. Other compartments contain a turned bone dusting brush, lead balls and an empty tin of S. Walker & Co. percussion caps. Also in case is an information card attributing these pistols to the 1813 duel between Col. Thomas Hart Benton and his brother Jesse against Gen. Andrew Jackson in which Jackson was grievously wounded. Most of the further information given is also incorrect. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: pf high importance is a hand written slip of paper which reads "Andrew Jackson and Thos. Benton fought a duel with theses guns." "Mrs. Wooley Hendersonville NC granddaughter Thomas Benton". CONDITION: good as refinished. Barrels and locks with rebrown over a good scattering of light marks. Bright blue on trigger guards is good, possibly original. Stocks have newer oil finish over old marks and dings. Bores are good, lightly pitted; mechanically fine. Case has new oil rubbed in over many rubs and scratches. Interior cloth is fair to good, faded and with insect damage. Label is foxed and has many rubs through. Partitions are good, reglued. Accessories are good. (01-21993/MGM). ANTIQUE. $7,000-12,000.