Product Details
DURS EGG, LONDON
A CASED PAIR OF 52-BORE FLINTLOCK DUELLING PISTOLS,
circa 1785, with 9in. rebrowned twist sighted barrels each with full length sighting flat and gold-lined touch-hole, the breech-ends each with single gold-inlaid line, gold-lined maker's mark 'D. EGG LONDON' and three recessed gold-lined fleur de lys, border and scroll engraved tangs each incorporating the rear-sight, border and foliate engraved flat bevelled detented locks (one top-jaw and screw replaced) each signed 'D. EGG' and with sliding safety on the tail, slightly raised gold-lined pan and roller, figured walnut half-stocks (one fore-end tip cracked, the other with repaired crack and inset repair around rear barrel-bolt escutcheon) each carved in relief with foliage around the barrel-tang, each butt chequered with a bold diamond pattern, each diamond quartered and with four small quatrefoils, set triggers, reblued iron mounts including trigger-guards each with an urn finial and decorated with a martial trophy on the bow, green horn fore-end caps, silver barrel-bolt escutcheons, and horn-tipped ramrods, one with worm, London proof marks, in original fitted mahogany case lined with green baize (lid glazed (glass broken)) with some accessories including pistol-flask and iron pincer-type bullet mould.
Other Notes: According to the vendor's family tradition these pistols were used in a fatal duel in Winchester. Unfortunately a letter which accompanied the pistols detailing this event was mislaid in the 1950s.
Estimate £5,000-7,000
THE ABOVE LOT IS PURCHASED AS AN EXEMPT ITEM UNDER SECTION 58 (2) OF THE 1968 FIREARMS ACT. TO BE HELD AS A CURIOSITY OR ORNAMENT.