SOLD
13,000.00USDto floor+ buyer's premium
This item SOLD at 2024 Nov 23 @ 12:02UTC-5 : EST/CDT
Did you win this lot?
A full invoice should be emailed to the winner by the auctioneer within a day or two.
.47 caliber, 8" octagon smoothbore barrels with very good bores. These are an extremely fine quality pair of American pistols. The guns feature very finely made adjustable single set triggers and the locks are finely crafted and action is very crisp. The internals of the lock are finely finished and reminiscent of a British lock. The barrel tangs house key adjustable rear sights which adjust with a square headed screw recessed into the tang immediately to the rear of the sight, this style of sight is commonly found on high quality German target pistols of the period. The guns are stamp numbered "1" and "2" on top of bolsters with hand engraved with the same numbers on the tangs. The underside of the barrel and breech are also stamp numbered "1" and "2". The only other marking on the guns is found neatly stamped on the top of each barrel "SCHNEIDER & CO. / MEMPHIS. TENN". The barrels show gold bands at the junction with the bolster with fine simple border engraving at front and rear of bolster and around the outer edge of the tang. The locks are not marked in any way and also show the same tasteful border. The pistols are stocked in curly maple and feature slightly domed flat butts with large silver oval inlays, a style found on other Tennessee-made guns of the period. The stocks feature iron triggerguards with graceful finger spur, other furniture including the wedge escutcheons, forend tip inlays, sideplates and shield shaped monogram plates on tops of wrists are all of silver. The monogram plates are each engraved with the initials "SV". The fit of the furniture is perfect, the lock screws fit perfectly flush to the sideplates when properly indexed, you cannot even feel the screw head when running your finger over them. The condition of the guns is superb with the barrels showing 95% original brown finish overall with a little light oxidation staining here or there but the finish is very strong and even. The bolsters, tangs and locks show over 90% original color case hardened finish which has softened over time but remains visible throughout and has a lovely antique appearance. The stocks are flat top checkered on their grips and retain 95% of their original finish. The stocks show sharp edges, rich color and just have a wonderful untouched surface. The pistols are sighted with a dovetail mounted fine blade front sight and the previously mentioned German-style elevation adjustable rear sights. The pistols come in their original case which is made with walnut sides and what appear to be butternut top and bottom. This gives the case a nice two-tone contrasting appearance. The case lid is quite warped with the front edge being almost 1" open at one side and 1/2" at the other when the lid is closed. The case again is untouched with lovely original surface, the interior lined in green baize with two covered compartments and four open compartments. The accessories housed in the case include a nice fluted American Flask & Cap Co. flask, a single cavity bullet mould, two cap tins, a cleaning/ramrod, "T" shaped iron combination tool, ebony handled nipple wrench and two case keys. The sight adjustment key is no longer present. The interior of the case remains in excellent condition. These pistols are illustrated in Wilson's The Peacemakers: Arms and Adventure in the American West. It is in the caption in this publication that identifies the initials "SV" as being those of Samuel Vance. The Vance's were a prominent family in Memphis with Samuel's father, Samuel Vance, III (1784-1823) owning a chain of mercantile stores and a line of small steamboats used to supply his stores. Samuel Vance was born around 1823. There is little written about him but he was indeed a Captain in Co. F of the 2nd Tennessee Infantry being commissioned on May 1, 1861. He died in 1868 of consumption in Memphis. There is speculation in some references including ''The Deringer in America'' that Schneider was a retailer and did not actually manufacture the firearms that he sold, rather many were purchased from John Mullin of New York City. Judging from the quality of these pistols, which will stand up to any Philadelphia or New York made gun of the period, this could very well be true. Whether made in New York, Philadelphia or Memphis, they are as American as apple pie, not highly embellished but of the finest quality of the period and remaining in superb all original condition. Only one other set of belt size pistols by Schneider are known, they bear the same markings, adjustable sights and furniture but are stocked in walnut. They also have slightly different lockplates and lock screws. These are simply a fabulous set of American percussion pistols which would be right at home in the finest and most advanced collection of American arms. (1H11739-103) {ANTIQUE} [Former Frank Berry Collection] (10,000/20,000)
Auction Location:
250 Commercial St. #3011, Manchester, New Hampshire, 03101, United States
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
23% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
No Info Available
Payment Details:
No Info Available
Accepted Payment Methods:
- VISA
- Master Card
- AMEX
- Discover
- Money Order/Bank Draft
- Check/Cheque
- Cash
Internet Premium: 23%
Cash Payment Discount: 2.5%
Participation Requirements: Valid Credit Card required for bidding approval
Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Check, Money Order, and Wire Transfer
Visa MasterCard Discover American Express
Payment Instructions: • Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will accept cash, check, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express as payment for items purchased. Credit card purchases are limited to $50,000.00 per customer, per auction. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. reserves the right to demand cash or hold merchandise until funds are collected in full. There will be a $35.00 charge for all returned checks.
• There will be a Buyer's Premium of 20% + 3% online bidding fee added to all purchases. A discounted Buyers Premium of 17.5% + 3% online bidding fee will apply to all purchases paid by cash or check.
• Customers without prior credit approval who intend on making purchases in excess of $10,000 must provide credit information such as a bank letter of credit prior to bidding.
• There will be a $35 bank service fee charged to all international payments made by wire transfer.
Currency Type: USD
Shipping Instructions: • Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
• Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will make every effort to ship items in a timely fashion; most orders are shipped within 48 hours of payment. All items, with the exception of modern handguns, are shipped via UPS Ground unless other arrangements have been made.
• All modern handguns are shipped via UPS Next Day Air service.
• Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges.
PICKING UP MERCHANDISE
• OUR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY AND TUESDAY FOLLOWING THE SALE. No merchandise will be delivered on those days. We will resume normal business hours on Wednesday.
• Our office hours are Monday through Friday - 8:00 am to 4:00pm. Please call ahead prior to arriving to pickup your merhandise.
Preview Date & Times: Please contact the auction company for preview dates & times.
Checkout Date & Times: • OUR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY AND TUESDAY FOLLOWING THE SALE. No merchandise will be delivered on those days. We will resume normal business hours on Wednesday.
• Our office hours are Monday through Friday - 8:00 am to 4:00pm.
Location: 250 Commercial St., Manchester, NH 03101
Driving Directions: FROM SOUTH: Rt. 93 North to Rt. 101 West in Manchester to Rt. 293 North to Exit 5 (Granite Street). At end of ramp go right onto Granite Street to first set of lights. Go left on Commercial Street and we are located in the Waumbec Commercial Center, which is 1/8 mile up on the left. OR Rte. 3 (Everett Turnpike) North through Bedford tolls then off at Exit 5 (Granite Street). At bottom of ramp go right, take first left onto Commercial Street, 1/8 mile on left.
Special Terms
FIREARMS WARNING
Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. does not warranty the safety of any article it sells. Therefore, it is imperative that, before you use any firearm purchased here or anywhere else, you have it examined by a qualified gunsmith to determine whether or not it is safe to use.
GENERAL STATEMENTS
• All bidders who attend the sale must register and obtain a bidders card in order to participate in the auction. Absentee/Telephone bidders must register by filling out and signing an absentee bid sheet.
• The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer shall become the owner upon the fall of the hammer. The auctioneer has sole discretion in the case of a dispute among bidders.
• Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. has taken great care in the preparation of the descriptions in this catalog. Although we believe everything in the descriptions to be true, we do not guarantee any part of any description. We recommend that the bidders view the items in person and form their own opinions as to condition, originality, origin, etc. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will consider all requests for refunds. If a customer is unhappy with a purchase we will be happy to discuss a remedy with them.
• All requests for refunds must be made within 30 days of the sale date. Therefore, it is important that absentee bidders pay for their items in a timely fashion. All requests for refunds received after 30 days of the sale date will not be considered.
• Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. reserves the right to reject any bid in order to protect our consignors interests.
• Reserves: A very few lots will be offered with reserve. In cases where items are reserved, a bid of the low estimate will always exceed the reserve. Reserves will be bid by the auctioneer as an opening bid so any bid taken from the floor or the phone is a live bid above the reserve amount.
• Bidding on any item in the sale indicates the bidder's full acceptance and understanding of all terms and conditions of sale and firearms warning (printed and online).
PAYMENT POLICY
• Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will accept cash, check, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express as payment for items purchased. Credit card purchases are limited to $50,000.00 per customer, per auction. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. reserves the right to demand cash or hold merchandise until funds are collected in full. There will be a $35.00 charge for all returned checks.
• There will be a Buyer's Premium of 20% + 3% online bidding fee added to all purchases. A discounted Buyers Premium of 17.5% + 3% online bidding fee will apply to all purchases paid by cash or check.
• Customers without prior credit approval who intend on making purchases in excess of $10,000 must provide credit information such as a bank letter of credit prior to bidding.
• There will be a $35 bank service fee charged to all international payments made by wire transfer.
GUIDELINES FOR FIREARM PURCHASES
• All Federal, State and Local firearms laws will be observed. FFL holders may take possession of any firearm on day of sale when they present a signed copy of their Federal Firearms License. New Hampshire residents over the age of 21 may take possession of any firearm on day of sale providing the proper paperwork is filled out and the transfer has been approved either through the NH State Police or the FBI NICS System. While most NICS and State approvals are immediate, approvals could take up to 3 days. Most non-residents may take possession of long guns on day of sale after completing the proper forms and successfully completing a NICS check; modern handguns will need to be shipped to an FFL holder in the buyer's home state. Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges and all items must be paid for on day of sale. Bidders should be familiar with their local and state laws as Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. will not be responsible for any parties purchasing items which may not be possessed in, or shipped, to their state of residence.
CLASS III
• Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. is a licensed Class III S.O.T. and now handles transfers of Machineguns, Suppressors, A.O.W.'s and shotguns in-house. We are pleased to answer any questions you may have regarding brining your Class III items to market.
FIREARMS ARE MARKED AS FOLLOWS:
ANTIQUE - no paperwork required
C&R - for firearms that fall under the ATF Curio & Relics licensing and if purchased by a person with a “C&R License” no paperwork is required.
NOTE: Items that meet the age requirements but have been altered from their original configuration may NOT be delivered on a C&R License.
Firearms that are not marked with one of these notations are considered to be
“MODERN” and all proper paperwork is required unless you are an FFL Dealer.
FIREARMS WARNING
Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. does not warranty the safety of any article it sells. Therefore, it is imperative that, before you use any firearm purchased here or anywhere else, you have it examined by a qualified gunsmith to determine whether or not it is safe to use.