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Fine Pair of Target/Dueling Pistols

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:NA Estimated At:NA
Fine Pair of Target/Dueling Pistols
A pair of German dueling/target pistols made by Johann Jakob Kuchenreuter of Regensburg. He was born in 1709 and died in 1783. The Kuchenreuter line of gun makers begins prior to the year 1600 and continues over several generations to as late as the 1800s. The Kuchenreuter families were renowned for their fine quality work. This pair of pistols measure 15" overall length with 10" length barrels.

The bores are approximately .60 caliber. Barrels are silver filigree inlaid and the Kuchenreuter name is also silver inlaid. The maker "sink", a gold cartouche on the barrel at the breech, plug depicts a horse and rider as do all generations of Kuchenreuter rifles and pistols. The barrels are numbered 1 and 2 as they are a true pair. The stocks are European black walnut and are carved in scrolling foliate designs.

The forend tips and ramrod tip are horn. The guns were originally flintlock and as was the custom they were converted in approximately 1835-1840 to percussion (cap and ball) which was the next evolutionary step in firearms ignition systems. The brass furniture is gilded to prevent tarnishing. The triggers are single adjustable "set" triggers which require the trigger to be pushed slightly forward until "set."

Then, cocking the hammer the pistol may be fired. The tiny screw behind the trigger is adjustable so as to make the trigger pull lighter or heavier according to the shooter's desire. These pistols are in excellent condition retaining original blue finish on the barrels, original gilt on the fittings and original varnish on the stocks.

Value: $4,500

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Generously 100% donated by Collectors Firearms (Mike and Sally Clark, NRA-WLF Executive Committee member).