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GOOD AS FOUND PAIR OF PERCUSSION HOLSTER PISTOLS

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
GOOD AS FOUND PAIR OF PERCUSSION HOLSTER PISTOLS

BY W. DUDLEY OF BIRMINGHAM WITH CASE. Cal. 65. NSN. Bbls. 8" twist, are unmarked on top flats. Case hardened breeches have scroll engraving on tops. Bottoms of bbls. & breeches stamped w/ London black powder proofs. Breech irons w/ integral deep U notch rear sights are also scroll engraved. Front spring locks w/ flat faced serpentine hammers having stylized dolphin heads are fitted w/ back position sliding safeties. Locks engraved w/ open scroll & " W. DUDLEY" (most likely William working between 1817-1858 on Weman St., Birmingham). Walnut stocks w/ checkered bag grips extend to 1/4" from muzzles & are mounted w/ scroll engraved iron trigger guards w/ stylized pineapple finials. Bbls. attach w/ captive side bolts through silver oval escutcheons. Bridled steel ramrods mount through iron thimbles. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: housed in their original walnut case w/ brass corners, central oval & reinforcing plates. Case is lined in brown velvet & bottom compartment contains brass combination flask w/ ball & cap mags. in body embossed w/ acanthus design, nutcracker type steel ball mold marked "16", brass oil bottle, rosewood handled turnscrew, walnut & rosewood loading rod & a nipple tin containing 1 nipple. 2 Covered compartments w/ brass knobs contain old balls, lubricant & a cap tin. CONDITION: fine as found, guns rather dusty w/ a layer of congealed oil. Bbls. retaining over 80% of what appears to be original brown twist finish, 1 pistol w/ some cleaning mid way & associated pitting. Lock & breech iron exhibit traces of case hardening color that was never vivid. Trigger guards retain about 20-30% of their original blue. Stocks retains about 80% of their French polish finish w/ light marks, dings & scratches. Bores are very good to fine, shiny w/ sharp strong rifling. Locks are crisp. Safeties gummed, 1 works. Exterior of case retains nearly all of an old refinish w/ lightly alligatored surface & repaired crack. Interior cloth is very good w/ some staining & rubs. Accessories are fine. Brass of flask considerably toned. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Gary Parietti. (01-19799(2)/MGM). BOTH ANTIQUE. $3,000-4,000.