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Pr. Continental Halfstock Perc. Dueling Pistols

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Pr. Continental Halfstock Perc. Dueling Pistols
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Matched Pair of High Quality Continental Halfstock Percussion Dueling-Target Pistols, by Muller in Bern, Switzerland, cased with full original accoutrements, #1 and #2 inlaid in gold atop barrel tangs, .50 cal., 10.5'' slightly swamped octagonal rifled steel barrels with overall Damascus-style etching in fine swirling patterns, marked ''Muller Gyorott'' inlaid in gold amid etched scrollwork on top flats, two inlaid gold bands at breeches, dovetailed small blade front sight, small ''V'' rear sight. Pistols are finely and elaborately engraved in a tight feathery scrolling pattern at barrel breeches and tangs, percussion bolsters with gold clean-out plugs, lockplates signed ''Muller'', sideplates, hammers, finger-spur triggerguards having pineapple finials, and buttcaps; most screw heads are engraved en suite. Stocks are deluxe burl rootwood having lovely grain patterns, Schnabel forends, vacant oval German silver escutcheons at wrists, checkered and bordered panels at grip sides, and delicately carved oval buttcap surrounds. Double set triggers. Originally finished in the ''white'' in the European style, with varnished hardwood stocks. Condition is fine to excellent with overall smooth, bright metal; pistol #2 having slight black powder erosion at nipple area; barrel bands missing one or two small areas of gold inlay. Stocks are excellent showing lovely grain, sharp checkering and carving, and retain all of their original varnish; the stock of pistol #1 may have had a wood repair on right side above the wedge escutcheon, or it may be the grain pattern (it is difficult to discern which). Actions are extremely tight; pistol #1 does not hold at cock; bores are bright with sharply defined rifling. The pistols are housed in their original burlwood French-fitted case lined in green baize, having individual compartments for two rosewood rods with burl knobs, steel bullet worm and two other small tools, nipple wrench with burl handle, steel single cavity bullet mold, steel patch cutter, burlwood mallet, percussion cap receptacle with burl lid, assorted patches and cast lead balls. Accoutrements are excellent; case is good to very good with a full-width crack across lid, chips and losses to the veneered exterior, but sound and complete. Est.: $5,000-$7,500. (Antique)