Catalog Auction info Auction #128 - Two-Day Sale, November 21st & 22nd (#128) 11/21/2020 9:00 AM EST Closed Starts Ending 11/21/2020 9:00 AM EST Auction Info Lot #365 Wonderful Pair of French Model An XIII Flintlock Cavalry Pistols Captured in the Battle of Albuera with Inscriptions Click image to enlarge PreviousNextSimilar Items Lot closed - unsold Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000 Description Description: .70 cal, 8" round barrels with lightly oxidized bores. The metal surfaces of both pistols have mostly toned to a pleasant pewter gunmetal patina mixing with areas of darker gray smoothed-over light pitting and some other minor handling marks. The brass hardware has toned to a nice untouched ocher patina showing some mild tarnishing and some light dings mostly along the butts. The lockplates of both pistols show manufacture by Charleville, the markings being quite soft overall but still mostly legible, the tang model markings are no longer present and there are ghostly remnants of proofs at the breeches. The brass parts however retain strong markings with nice French inspector stamps throughout and the butts with a large "JW" or "IW" engraved in script. The front bands also show a wonderful matching inscription "Taken from a Polish Lancer / in the Battle of Albuera / Spain, May 16, 1811", clearly done by the same hand and completely consistent with the period. The walnut stocks remain in about very fine condition showing the overall light dings and handling marks one would expect. One pistol shows a tiny hole on the left side below the flat and the other pistol shows a few small drying cracks at the rear lock screw and either end of the lockplate with a small period repair to a 1" crack behind the lockplate. Both stocks retain otherwise excellent metal-to-wood fit with good edges and both show a large carved starburst ahead of the triggerguard and a notch behind the lockplate that were certainly done during the period of use. The ramrod on one pistol appears to be a more modern quality replacement while the other is original, and both locks seem to function well mechanically. The Battle of Albuera was an engagement during the Peninsular War (1807-1814) which saw Spain, Portugal and Great Britain pitted against the French Empire and its allies for control of the Iberian Peninsula; the end result a long and hard-won victory by the coalition. The Battle of Albuera itself apparently had little effect on the overall outcome of the war but research confirms that the Polish Uhlan unit the 1st Vistulan Lancers did play a major role in the battle and were arguably one of the finest cavalry units in Napoleon's army. The lancers single-handedly destroyed three British foot regiments and captured numerous colors. Evidently the British did make off with at least one pair of lancer's pistols. A very fine and honest pair of French pistols with wonderful inscriptions and history that would make a spectacular addition to any antique martial arms collection. (13D9849-3,4) {ANTIQUE} (4000/6000) 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. 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