3477

VERY FANCY SILVER MOUNTED FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOL

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,250.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
VERY FANCY SILVER MOUNTED FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOL
BY JEAN BAPTISTE LAMOTTE OF ST. ETIENNE. Cal. 60. S# NSN Circa 1785. The 13" octagon to round barrel has breech section very deeply relief carved with flags, armor, scrolls, swags and central tower; background is gold washed. Lock with arched and rounded plate is fitted with serpentine cock, waterproof gold lined inset pan, bridled friction frizzen and feather spring with thistle finial. Rear of lock, cock and back of frizzen are deeply relief carved with scrolls, armor, flags and cannon of similar theme as barrel. Lock is signed "J. Ba. Lamotte" "St. Etienne" (Jean Baptiste Lamotte working 1782 to 1856). Elmwood stock extends to muzzle and attaches to barrel with two side nails. Mouldings are around lock and sideplate. Raised carving with shell finial is around barrel tang. Stock is silver mounted. Hallmarked grip cap with side spurs is relief embossed with armor, flags, drums, etc. matching long heavy sideplate and theme of decoration on barrel and lock. Top of grip has relief silver boss emblazoned with five pointed star within cloudburst. Stock is also decorated with silver wire inlay in the shape of scrolls having floral highlights. A mother of pearl crescent moon is at back of grip surrounded by silver rays. Silver plated brass trigger guard appears to be a replacement but is does exhibit some relief decoration. Rosewood ramrod with painted tip mounts through beaded silver pipe and matching relief cast thimble. CONDITION: good "as found" with old replacement of trigger guard. Barrel and lock are a mottled mix of brown and gray patina. Wood retains most of an old finish with considerable wear. Silver is good with some dents in grip cap. Bore is pitted. Lock works. (01-23471/MGM). ANTIQUE. $2,500-3,500.