3631

EARLY FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOL BY PONSIN OF LIEGE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,250.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
EARLY FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOL BY PONSIN OF LIEGE.
Cal. 62. S# NSN. This attractive early pistol was most likely made by Ailid Ponsin working in Liege around 1740. It has 12 3/4" octagon to round swamped barrel with wedding band transition that has indecipherable maker's mark on left side breech flat. Early style chamfered and arched lock with slight rebate to tail is fitted with serpentine cock, inset faceted pan, unbridled friction frizzen and feather spring with flattened bulbous finial. Borders of lockplate are nicely molded and the area below feather spring is engraved "PONSIN". Breast of cock exhibits some very fine high relief scroll engraving. Full length stock of European walnut is pinned to barrel and brass mounted. There are raised carved mouldings around lock, sideplate, ramrod channel and front portion of trigger guard and some foliate carving around barrel tang. Mounts exhibit some raised relief work with grotesque mask on bottom of heavy grip cap with long side spurs. Foliate and mask decoration are on faceted trigger guard and a warrior with helmet is on grip escutcheon. Sideplate is of scroll design with many piercings and a helmed warrior similar to grip. Hickory ramrod is held by single octagonal and multi beaded pipe with matching thimble. CONDITION: good. Iron parts with considerable cleaning to silver highlights and dark brown background. Wood is sound and complete without any noted losses or cracks. Brass is nicely toned. Bore is pitted. Lock will not cock. Cock is old but not original to this pistol. (01-23466/MGM). ANTIQUE. $2,500-3,500.