Catalog Auction info Auction #140 - Two-Day Sale, November 18th & 19th (#140) 11/18/2023 9:00 AM EST Closed Starts Ending 11/18/2023 9:00 AM EST Auction Info Lot #189Wonderful & Unique Cased Pair Of 12 Bore Single Barrel Underlever Howdah Pistols By E. Jackson Click image to enlarge PreviousNextSimilar Items Lot closed - unsold Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000 Description Description: serial #1207 & 1208, 12 bore, 10 5/8” steel-lined damascus barrels with bright excellent bores showing crisp 11-groove rifling. This is a magnificent pair of imposing howdah pistols made circa 1869 and utilizing the Jones underlever system. The barrels retain about 94-95% of their original contrasting plum-brown and gray swirling damascus patterns with most of the loss due to some areas thinning to gunmetal patina, a few light dings and handling marks, and a couple areas of pinprick pitting mostly nearer the muzzles. The frames, back action lockplates, underlevers and buttcaps all retain about 98-99% of their original lovely vibrant case-hardened colors with just a little subtle muting here and there and even retaining a healthy amount of protective lacquer. The triggerguards retain about 98% original bright blue, the attractive forend wedge escutcheons are gold-plated and most of the remaining small parts show lovely brilliant fire blue. The pistols show London proof marks and both barrels and lockplates are neatly engraved with E. Jackson markings, the barrels also with 15 Edgware Road Hyde Park address. The actions are embellished in near full coverage with lovely English fine filigree scrollwork and the triggerguard tangs have a nice little surprise with a finely detailed heron on each. The checkered walnut grips and forends feature robust diamond point checkering and attractive horn schnabel tips, remaining in excellent condition with lovely fit throughout and just showing some expected scattered light dings and handling marks, a bit more noticeable along the grip of pistol 1208. The gold monogram plates atop each wrist are finely engraved with the combined family crests of both the Davies and Lloyd families over the monogram “JDL”. The barrels of course lock-up solidly and are sighted with u-notch rear sights and medium blade fronts. The locks with non-rebounding hammers function crisply and feature sliding safeties. Designed to be fired two-handed, the pistols weigh about 5 pounds each. They remain housed within their original leatherbound oak case that rates very fine, the exterior leather with overall light scuffing, some discoloration, flaking and edge wear to be expected from the years. One of the leather tabs that the intact handle attaches to appears to be an old replacement but this is relatively minor and the brass hardware is otherwise intact, the lid escutcheon very finely engraved with the same familial crests and monogram as both pistols are. There are remnants of an antique New Zealand postage sticker along the base and the interior is lined in green baize that shows some edge wear and scuffing along the dividers and slight discoloration. The inside of the lid shows a mostly intact F. Beesley retailer label that shows a few flaked areas. The case contains a full complement of original accessories including a 12 bore round ball mould with sprue cutter, case sizing tool with fine fire blue, fine condition paper case trimmer, priming/de-priming tool, ball seater, tin of primers, manual case extractor, pewter oil bottle, wad seater, mainspring vise and a pair of keys. Fine rosewood-handled accessories include a firing pin spanner, turnscrew, bristle brush, Hawksley powder measure and cleaning rod. The pistols also include a small dossier of information identifying them to John Davies Lloyd (1850-1878) who inherited one of Wales’s largest estates, Alltyrodyn, but squandered his money on adventure and exploits. Passing away at the young age of 28 from tuberculosis, he left behind a series of contradictory and confusing wills which bogged down the family and even caught the attention of the local newspapers, but the whole matter was eventually settled between the parties involved. Although marked by Elias Jackson, it is most likely that he was the original retailer of the arms, as the Best Quality nature of the work would suggest they were mostly likely made by the likes of a Joseph Manton or James Purdey. Beesley most likely acquired them ten to fifteen years after their manufacture on trade or consignment as evidenced by another interesting piece of provenance. An original letter from Beesley is included, dated September 24, 1891 and addressed to a Lieutenant W. Steward, Royal Navy who purchased the pistols. The letter, written and signed by Frederick Beesley, thanks Lt. Steward for his cheque sent to balance his account, and goes on to offer advice on how to load proper cartridges for the pistols. This is an exceptional and very likely one-of-a-kind pair of pistols with an interesting connection to a prominent Welsh family that would make a spectacular addition to the finest collection of British firearms. (13G11043-1) {ANTIQUE} (40,000/60,000) Categories: firearm Terms and conditions TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE The following paragraphs represent the terms under which all sales by Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. are conducted. Bidding on any item in the sale indicates the bidder’s full acceptance and understanding of all terms and conditions of sale. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. has taken great care in the preparation of the descriptions in this catalog. Although we believe everything in the descriptions to be true, we do not guarantee any part of any description. We recommend that the bidders view the items in person and form their own opinions as to condition, originality, origin, etc. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will consider all requests for refunds. If a customer is unhappy with a purchase, we will be happy to discuss a remedy with them. All requests for refunds must be made within 30 days of the sale date. Therefore, it is important that absentee bidders pay for their items in a timely fashion. All requests for refunds received after 30 days of the sale date will not be considered. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. reserves the right to reject any bid in order to protect our consignor’s interests. PAYMENT POLICY All invoices are payable upon receipt. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will accept cash, check, wire transfer, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express as payment for items purchased. Online payment is available for buyers directly through the online invoicing process. Bidders who fail to pay their invoices in full by the 25th day following the sale agree to have their total invoice amount charged to the credit card listed on file. Credit card purchases are limited to $50,000.00 per customer, per auction. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. reserves the right to demand cash or hold merchandise until funds are collected in full. There will be a $35.00 charge for all returned checks. A 20% Buyer’s Premium will be added to all purchases regardless of price with a 2.5% discount when paid with check, cash or wire transfer. This premium is to be paid as part of the purchase price. Additionally, the 2.5% cash discount will only apply to invoices paid promptly, within 14 calendar days of the auction. Buyers should be aware of common delays in the mail and if that is a concern they are welcome to call our office to receive wire transfer information. No items are to be removed from our facility until paid for in full by the purchaser. GUIDELINES FOR FIREARM DELIVERIES All Federal, State and Local firearms laws will be strictly adhered to. FFL holders may take possession of any firearm on day of sale (excluding Class III) when they present a signed copy of their Federal Firearms License. If an FFL dealer is sending an “agent” to pick up items, that person must be a bona fide, paid employee of the company with a W4 on file. Outside contractors cannot be used as pickup agents. A SIGNED LETTER FROM THE FFL STATING THIS FACT MUST BE PRESENTED AT TIME OF PICK UP. The FFL Dealer will in turn be notified that a transfer was made to you as their agent. New Hampshire residents over the age of 21 may take possession of any firearm, on day of sale, provided the proper paperwork is completed and the transfer has been approved either through the N.H. State Police or the FBI NICS System, whichever is appropriate based upon the type of firearm(s) purchased. Non-resident individuals from states without waiting periods may take possession of long guns on day of sale after completing the proper forms and successfully completing a NICS check. If you reside in a state with a waiting period, your items will need to be shipped to a dealer in your state. No modern handguns will be delivered to non-resident individuals. All modern handguns purchased by non-resident individuals will need to be delivered to or shipped to an FFL holder in the buyer’s home state. Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges and all items must be paid for on day of sale. Bidders should be familiar with their local and state laws as Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. will not be responsible for any parties purchasing items which may not be possessed in, or shipped to their state of residence. Some states have restrictions on transfers to C&R License holders, study your state and local laws before bidding. If you are the winning bidder of an item that you find does not comply with your state’s laws, you will still be required to pay your invoice, Amoskeag Auction Co. will then re-offer the arm on your behalf. FIREARM CLASSIFICATION: ANTIQUE - no paperwork required MODERN - Post-1898 firearm which requires an FFL or 4473 with corresponding successful background check in order to be delivered. C&R - for firearms that fall under the ATF Curio & Relics licensing and if purchased by a person with a “C&R License” no paperwork is required. NOTE: Items that meet the age requirements but have been altered from their original configuration may NOT be delivered on a C&R License. ABSENTEE/TELEPHONE/ON-LINE BIDDING • As a service to our buyers, Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will accept absentee bids from bidders who cannot attend the sale. Bidders without prior credit approval are required to submit a 20% deposit prior to bids being accepted (credit cards may be used for absentee deposits). Absentee bids will be bid in a competitive manner and an absentee bidder needs only to outbid another buyer i.e. bidding will not be opened at the maximum bid unless that is the next competitive bid. Because we do not open at the absentee bidder's top bid (unless that is the next competitive bid) there is a chance that the absentee bidder's bid may tie with a bidder using a different bidding method (live, Proxibid or telephone bidder). If an absentee bidder wishes to guard against this occurring, they may complete an absentee bid form with a "+" after the bid amount and forward that bid sheet to our office to be entered by Amoskeag. When a "+" is added after the bid amount, the bidder authorizes Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. to make one additional bid in order the break the tie. Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges. Properly registered Amoskeag On-line bidders may use this service free of additional charges as an alternative to telephone or absentee bidding, at their election. On-line bidders should be aware that the sale sometimes proceeds at a very rapid pace and should plan their bidding strategies accordingly. • Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. will not be held responsible for errors or omissions of any type that may occur during these services. • All absentee bids must be received by 8:00pm on the day prior to the auction. If you plan to attend the sale but will not be staying until the end and want to leave a bid on an item that will be sold after you leave, we must have those bids in by 8:00am on the morning of the sale. No bids will be accepted after that time. Please do not call the gallery once the auction has started (after 9:00am) as we will not be able to accept bids or make changes to bids. • Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will also accept telephone bids on a limited basis. Telephone bidding is reserved for seriously interested bidders. In order to bid by telephone, the bidder must be willing to pay at least the low estimate of the item being bid on. NOTE: Phone bids MUST be arranged by 5:00pm ON THURSDAY prior to the sale. • All absentee/telephone bidder invoices are issued by end of business on the Tuesday following the sale; all invoices are due upon receipt. Invoices are to be paid either by cash or check, or by credit cards listed above. All items not paid for within 20 business days from sale date shall be considered abandoned as well as any deposit that was made on those items and Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. shall have sole discretion as to their disposal. SAFETY WARNING Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. does not warranty the safety of any article it sells. Therefore, it is imperative that, before you use any firearm, purchased here or anywhere else, you have it examined by a qualified gunsmith to determine whether or not it is safe to use. SHIPPING • Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will make every effort to ship items in a timely fashion. All items, with the exception of modern handguns, are shipped via UPS Ground unless other arrangements have been made. All merchandise is shipped Signature Required. • All modern handguns are shipped via UPS Next Day Air service. • Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges and for insurance on the items being shipped. Purchasers who self-insure can forego insurance charges if Amoskeag Auction is notified of your intent to self-insure. PICKING UP MERCHANDISE • Pickup will be by appointment only. • OUR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY AND TUESDAY FOLLOWING THE SALE. No merchandise will be delivered on those days. We will resume normal business hours on Wednesday. • Our office hours are Monday through Friday - 8:00 am to 4:00pm.
