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Very Rare Cased Pair of J. E. Merriman & Co. Memphis Percussion Deringer Pistols

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Very Rare Cased Pair of J. E. Merriman & Co. Memphis Percussion Deringer Pistols
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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2024 Nov 23 @ 09:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
.44 cal, 3 1/8'' barrels including breech plugs with fair-good bores showing moderate old oxidation throughout and strong rifling. This is a nice little pair of rare Tennessee pistols, the barrels and back action lockplates mostly toned to a mix of deep plum-brown and smoky gray patina with smoothed-over remnants of light pitting mostly along the sides of the barrels and around the nipple bolsters. Both barrels bear neatly engraved markings ''J. E. MERRIMAN & Co. / MEMPHIS'' and the metal surfaces show tasteful light foliate scrollwork and flourishes throughout, with fine line detailing and rather simple, endearing fish head hammers. The mountings are German silver throughout featuring dual bands at the breeches, triangular nose inlays, wedge escutcheons, flash plates, triggerguards with pointed finials, teardrop butt inlays, shield monogram plates atop the wrists, lock screw escutcheons with dingle downward point and attractive decorative sideplates. These all show more light scrollwork and simple borders and the monogram plates are un-engraved. The checkered walnut stocks remain in very fine condition having darkened from the years showing some scattered light dings and one pistol with some remnants of older reapplied varnish and a small repaired crack on the left side back from the tip. The checkering remains quite strong and the hardware fit is very good overall. The pistols are sighted with fine v-notch rear sights and German silver blade front sights, the half cock notch is not functional on one pistol and both are functional at full cock. The major components shows assembly marks ''I'' and ''II'' on each pistol, respectively, and there are no apparent proof marks. In ''The Deringer in America Vol. 1'' by Wilson and Eberhart, Merriman is described primarily as a jeweler in Memphis who sold guns on the side and probably had his guns made by some other more established manufacturer in the country. An 1855 city directory also lists Merriman and indicates he employed ''one of the most skillful London engravers''. The guns come cased in an attractive period mahogany case that shows some light dings and handling marks along the exterior retaining fine antique varnish. The interior shows a later 20th century restoration with maroon velvet lining that remains in very fine condition. There is a small lidded compartment with some cast balls and the case also contains an empty Eley cap tin, a single cavity 60 bore round ball mould, and a nice unmarked small-sized powder flask. This is very likely the only matched pair of Merriman pistols known, and were previously from the John Montague collection of fine Tennessee antique arms. (13D11549-29) {ANTIQUE} (7000/9000)