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Gorgeous Johann Andreas Kuchenreuter Flintlock Officer's Pistol

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:25.00 - 500,000.00 USD
Gorgeous Johann Andreas Kuchenreuter Flintlock Officer's Pistol
Made by Johann Andreas Kuchereuter in Regensburg, Germany circa 1750. Johann was a member of the famous Kuchenreuter Gunsmith Family who made guns for European royalty and whose surviving examples are in major museums throughout the world. A pair by this maker is on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The pistol is in the style used by Officers or Military Horse Soldiers measuring 17-1/2" overall with a 11-1/4" three faceted to round polished steel barrel in 45 caliber smoothbore with countersunk muzzle for ease of loading. Barrel has silver washed scrollwork and is marked "Joh And Kuchenreuter" with first initials gold washed. Breech has recessed square with gold "Knight on Horse" inlay with tang having a "2" indicating this gun was probably once part of a pair. Pistol has silver blade front sight and fixed rear notch sight. Military style rounded floral engraved polished flintlock with floral engraved cock and frizzen with single set trigger control. Lock is held by a gold Ormolu floral raised pattern sideplate with fire blued lock bolts. European fruitwood stock with raised floral carving around tang and a raised "DEITY" face in thumb position. Pistol has Fleur-De-Lis raised pattern behind locks and around tailpipe. Butt is fitted with gold Ormolu "Skull Cracker" type butt cap with raised floral and scroll design. Gold Ormolu trigger guard with extended grip tang and marked "No. 2" with raised floral pattern on bow. Gold Ormolu tailpipe and ramrod ferrel with horn tipped hardwood ramrod and horn nosecap. Dazzling Revolutionary War Era pistol. CALIBER: 45. FFL STATUS: Antique.
CONDITION
Gun is of Museum quality with silver wash on barrel fading slightly and metal dulling slightly. Furniture retains a bright golden appearance with light tarnish marks. Wood retains almost all of the original high gloss varnish with no visible repairs or damage. Overall gun has slight handling wear and some marks on frizzen but does not exhibit excessive firing use. A great pistol.