Lot # 310 (Sale Order: 310 of 600)
Low Estimate: 8,000High Estimate: 12,000
.45 cal, 9'' octagon barrels with bright excellent bores. This is a very lovely and very ornate pair of percussion target pistols. The barrels show a nice fine damascus relief pattern their entire length, with neatly cut shallow flutes at the sharp edge of the octagonal section for about 5'', each with a lovely fire blued front sight and simple flat-top v-notch elevation adjustable rear mounted in the tang. The barrels each show light silver wire decoration surrounding the maker's name ''Peter Schenk'', that arm numbered ''1'', the other ''in Marienbad'' numbered ''2'', this inlaid in gold. The patent breeches and tangs show nice open flowing scroll and geometric decoration, each appropriately numbered to their barrels, inlaid in gold. The stepped humpback locks and hammers are a pewter case-hardened patina with open flowing scroll and floral decoration and maker's name and location inlaid in gold within a riband, both the hammer and lockplate showing inlaid scroll accents of gold and silver. The bows of the guards and their front extensions show the same excellent quality floral and scroll decoration, showing some strong trace case colors, the long tang of the triggerplate extending to the buttcaps. Each of the buttcaps have a nice turned finial and exhibit a chiseled draping cap with a geometric filigree at border. The French walnut stocks rate about excellent with all of their original varnish, scant very light handling marks, what are likely maker-done repairs to some burls or checks that were in the highly figured grain, pistol No. 2 showing a tight crack from the triggerplate to the bottom of the lock. The noses are both very neatly carved in a leaf pattern, the grasping area of the butts with a vine and leaf pattern, very masterfully carved-in-relief with background matting. The wrist of each arm is fitted with a silver oval monogram plate engraved ''LD'' in fancy old English script, surmounted by a crown. The arms each feature single set triggers, they and the locks are crisp and mechanically functional. The arms are cased in a mahogany presentation case with loading and cleaning rods, a very nice German silver-mounted horn flask, nipple spanner, turn screw (the tip is chipped), adjustable powder measure and a very nice single cavity round ball bullet mould with a lovely fire temper blued sprue cutter, the adjustment key for the rear sight is included as well. The case itself rates very good with its purple interior lining intact, the maker's name embossed in silver within the lid. The outer lid of the case is a replacement of good quality, but of softwood, a geometric German silver inlay on the original lid is not installed on this lid however it is included within the case. There were German silver bolsters inlaid on the corner of the case, most are missing but it is of no consequence to the lovely pistols inside. It would appear as though Peter Schenk was active in Marienbad roughly 1853-1880, these pistols no doubt predating 1860 at which time he began using Schenk & Sohn. Stunning and investment quality. (3F9944-38) {ANTIQUE} [Frank Berry Collection] (8,000/12,000)
.45 cal, 9'' octagon barrels with bright excellent bores. This is a very lovely and very ornate pair of percussion target pistols. The barrels show a nice fine damascus r
...moreelief pattern their entire length, with neatly cut shallow flutes at the sharp edge of the octagonal section for about 5'', each with a lovely fire blued front sight and simple flat-top v-notch elevation adjustable rear mounted in the tang. The barrels each show light silver wire decoration surrounding the maker's name ''Peter Schenk'', that arm numbered ''1'', the other ''in Marienbad'' numbered ''2'', this inlaid in gold. The patent breeches and tangs show nice open flowing scroll and geometric decoration, each appropriately numbered to their barrels, inlaid in gold. The stepped humpback locks and hammers are a pewter case-hardened patina with open flowing scroll and floral decoration and maker's name and location inlaid in gold within a riband, both the hammer and lockplate showing inlaid scroll accents of gold and silver. The bows of the guards and their front extensions show the same excellent quality floral and scroll decoration, showing some strong trace case colors, the long tang of the triggerplate extending to the buttcaps. Each of the buttcaps have a nice turned finial and exhibit a chiseled draping cap with a geometric filigree at border. The French walnut stocks rate about excellent with all of their original varnish, scant very light handling marks, what are likely maker-done repairs to some burls or checks that were in the highly figured grain, pistol No. 2 showing a tight crack from the triggerplate to the bottom of the lock. The noses are both very neatly carved in a leaf pattern, the grasping area of the butts with a vine and leaf pattern, very masterfully carved-in-relief with background matting. The wrist of each arm is fitted with a silver oval monogram plate engraved ''LD'' in fancy old English script, surmounted by a crown. The arms each feature single set triggers, they and the locks are crisp and mechanically functional. The arms are cased in a mahogany presentation case with loading and cleaning rods, a very nice German silver-mounted horn flask, nipple spanner, turn screw (the tip is chipped), adjustable powder measure and a very nice single cavity round ball bullet mould with a lovely fire temper blued sprue cutter, the adjustment key for the rear sight is included as well. The case itself rates very good with its purple interior lining intact, the maker's name embossed in silver within the lid. The outer lid of the case is a replacement of good quality, but of softwood, a geometric German silver inlay on the original lid is not installed on this lid however it is included within the case. There were German silver bolsters inlaid on the corner of the case, most are missing but it is of no consequence to the lovely pistols inside. It would appear as though Peter Schenk was active in Marienbad roughly 1853-1880, these pistols no doubt predating 1860 at which time he began using Schenk & Sohn. Stunning and investment quality. (3F9944-38) {ANTIQUE} [Frank Berry Collection] (8,000/12,000)less...
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