Catalog Auction info Auction #129 - Two-Day Sale, March 27th & 28th (#129) 03/27/2021 9:00 AM EDT Closed Starts Ending 03/27/2021 9:00 AM EDT Auction Info Lot #333 Handsome Pair of British Dueling Pistols by Durs Egg Attributed to Sir William Pepperell Click image to enlarge PreviousNextSimilar Items Lot closed - Sold Price (Including Buyer`s Premium):$7,200 Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000 Description Description: .44 Cal, 8 1/2'' round barrels, extremely professionally converted to percussion during the period of use, perhaps by Egg himself, as evidenced by the fact that the rear-most British proof on each has been partially removed (cut off) when the hooked patent breech that is present was installed; the London proofs still completely intact. This is really a lovely pair of pistols and is no doubt one of Egg's earlier offerings about the time he opened his London shop in 1772. The bores remain very fine and smooth and free of pitting and externally they retain a wonderful mottled plum and gray finish which is doubtless original, or at least from the time of the conversion, the patent hooked breeches showing strong color case-hardening. The tangs as well show strong color case-hardening with beautiful floral bouquets on each, the arms sighted with simple silver blade front sights and a flat-top u-notch inset into each of the breeches. The locks have beautiful diminutive plates with stepped teated rears and beveled edges with strong color case-hardening remaining on each, the hammer is more of a mottled smoky case-hardened patina. They are maker marked beneath where the pan would have been and show light sprays of floral scroll at the rear, each of the hammers with good quality flowing scroll as well. The locks are excellent quality conversions to percussion, again perhaps done by Egg himself, the quality of the work is so precise. The arms feature simple thimbles with lightly sculpted tailpipes showing a bit of light engraving, the triggerguard front extensions chiseled and engraved into an acorn motif. The bow of each guard is bolstered with a circular overlay emanating from the root of the guard, floral petal engraved, the bows proper each engraved with an ancient hunter's club and a scythe. The teardrop-shaped buttcaps show light floral and geometric engraving on the bottom with the teardrop tangs again with lovely floral bouquets. The most telling portion on the arms are the inlays on the left stock flat. There are very fine silver wire and engraved floral inlays along with the Family Crest of the Pepperell family, also inlaid in silver and neatly engraved. The forward part of the stock flat on each shows a very lovely intertwining scroll inlaid silver ''WP'' with light accenting within the letters. William Pepperell the elder was very influential and wealthy man during early colonial times and amassed a great fortune (the Town of Pepperell Mass is actually named for him). Upon his death in 1749, his grandson William Pepperrell Sparhawk changed his name to William Pepperell as a condition of inheritance and assumed the elder William Pepperell's baronetcy. He became a wealthy merchant himself and was a loyalist, his wife Elizabeth actually died at the age of 26 in 1775 during the siege of Boston and is buried there. In early 1776 Pepperell himself was forced to flee back to England with his children where he died at the age of 1816; his only son William Royal Pepperell would predecease him in 1798. The 1772 timeframe of Egg's shop opening certainly fits with these guns and it is not difficult to realize that such a lovely pair of guns would be retained in the family and converted to percussion as the brand-new ignition system gained favor. As-mentioned when the breeches of the barrels were machined for the new patent breeches, the rear-most British view proof was partially removed, its front edge can still be seen on each barrel and remnants of the original frizzen and frizzen spring hardware can be seen on the locks when disassembled. The stocks are English walnut and are wonderful with nice horn tips and rate very fine with the expected light dings and handling marks that come from the years, one with a small crack at the forestock which seems tight. The grips are coarsely checkered with a small dot at the center of each and there is light floral carving at the rear of the island around the top tang. Each lock functions very well mechanically and the arms are equipped with single set triggers, on one pistol the set will not trip the sear but is no doubt merely an adjustment, what are likely the original ramrods are included in each. The arms are housed in an antique casing which was relined many years ago with a very coarse green fabric with horsehair padding within lid. It is likely this was an original casing but was relined less-than-professionally, many many years ago looking at the oxidation and coloring on the interior. The leather covering is appropriately age crackled and dried, the case itself rating about very good. It certainly would be greatly improved by a professional relining of the interior, the lock on the case miraculously still functions and the key is included. Included within are a couple of antique loading rods and one of the hammer skirts shows a chip at its leading edge, but one actually misses it as it is so similar to a cap deflection cut. An absolutely fabulous set of pistols from this famous London maker of quality-arms, looking at the clues left behind on the pistols, there can be no doubt to-whom they belonged and during what period of time. (3H9670-450) {ANTIQUE} [David & Lore Squier Collection] (5000/7000) 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. 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