
Arms & Armor Auction
Arms & Armor Auction
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Description
This auction brings across the block exceptional selections from the collections of William “Bill” Rutter of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, and Jim Gabel of Cincinnati, Ohio. These collections have been carefully curated and are being offered in addition to over fifty additional lots of collectible arms. In total, over 300 years of arms & armor history have been brought together for one day of exciting bidding.
Gabel’s passion for fine early arms is reflected in the first portion of the sale (Lots 1-79). These arms include a plethora of 17th and 18th century European pistols and long arms. Collectors of German makers will be especially interested in a rare superposed-load flintlock sporting rifle (Lot 50), a pair of fine pistols mounted in detailed gilt brass (Lot 30), and several examples fashioned by the famous Kuchenreuter family (Lots 16-22, 35-36). Also included in this selection is a very rare “concealed... Show more
Lot Location:
German Flintlock Pistol by Georg Adam Mann, Eberschwang
Lot # 1 (Sale Order: 1 of 382)
Top of barrel formed with sighting flat and diminutive side flats. Top of sighting flat engraved "GEORG\\ADAM\\MANN\\IN EBERSCHWANG" with balance in wheat engraving. Stepped breech engraved en suite with fittings. Stepped faceted lockplate finely engraved with depictions of mounted soldiers in cap along with "GEORG" to the rear of cock, and "ADAM MANN" beneath faceted and fenced pan. Finely formed swan-neck cock. The whole with the original walnut ramrod with horn tip.
**Fine condition overall. Barrel shows some light oxidation taking on a salt and pepper patination. Bronze fittings retain nearly all of their gilt finish and have a pleasant luster. Stock retains all of its original varnish with some minor imperfections including an old stable hairline split just forward of triggerguard, a very old hairline crack extending from breech to escutcheon, and a minor piece of missing wood around escutcheon. Action is tight and functional with a good bore.**
Georg Adam Mann appears to have operated his workshop from the town of Winhoring, Bavaria in the last quarter of the 17th century. As this pistol is signed in Eberschwang, Austria, he obviously was centered in that town for some time.
Provenance
Jim Gabel Collection
$3,000-$4,000
Excellent German Flintlock Pistol by Paul Breidenfelter, Karlsbad
Lot # 2 (Sale Order: 2 of 382)
Paul Breidenfelder operated between 1720 and 1750 in Karlsbad, Bohemia.
**Good condition overall. Barrel has a pewter patination with some old staining and removed pitting from cleaning. Stock is in good condition with some minor wear darkening along with some missing bone inlay. Most of the original gilt finish remains with some wear to high areas. Action is tight and functional with a good bore.**
Provenance
Jim Gabel Collection
$3,000-$4,000
Fine German Flintlock Pistol by Paul Breidenfelter, Karlsbad
Lot # 3 (Sale Order: 3 of 382)
Paul Breidenfelter worked in Karlsbad, Bohemia, between 1720 to 1750.
**Fine condition overall. Some thinning of finish to barrel which has taken on a dark gunmetal patination in thinned areas. Stock retains its original varnish with a very old repaired crack around circumference of wrist. Action is tight and functional with a good bore.**
Provenance
Bill Young Collection
Jim Gabel Collection
$2,500-$3,500
German Flintlock Pistol by Mathias Karch, Hechingen
Lot # 4 (Sale Order: 4 of 382)
Matthias Karch (Also spelled "Karg") operated between 1730 and 1790, from the town the town of Hechingen, Wurttemberg.
**Very good to fine condition overall. Barrel retains most of its blue finish with some wear to high areas and some scattered oxidation. Stock retains most of its original varnish with a clear section just forward of ramrod entry pipe that appears to have been cleanly sawn the rejoined. Brass shows a dull luster. Action is tight and functional with a good bore.**
Provenance
Bill Young Collection
Jim Gabel Collection
$1,200-$1,800
Reconverted Flintlock Pistol by Spangenberg
Lot # 5 (Sale Order: 5 of 382)
Alongside the famous Kuchenreuter family, the Spangenberg family of Suhl, Thuringia also produced a dynasty of gunmakers known for exceptional quality in arms. Unfortunately, this piece only carried the Spangenberg name, and not the specific name of the maker. During the time this piece was made, likely the mid-18th century, no less than five of the Spangenberg family were active as makers and merchants.
**Very good condition overall as-is. This piece was reconverted from percussion using the original lock parts and a well-made cock cast from an original from the same workshop. Barrel retains a good finish with some evidence of cleaning in the European manner with stock showing some handling marks and blemishes. Some loss of gilt finish on high areas. Action is tight and functional with a good bore.**
Provenance
Jim Gabel Collection
$1,500-$2,500
German Flintlock Pistol Circa 1750
Lot # 6 (Sale Order: 6 of 382)
**Good condition overall. Barrel has taken on a pewter patination with minimal oxidation. Some handling marks and blemishes to stock. Sideplate screws appear to be replacements. Action is tight and functional with a good bore.**
Provenance
Bill Young Collection
Jim Gabel Collection
$1,000-$1,500
Austrian Flintlock Pistol by Anton Klein, Vienna
Lot # 7 (Sale Order: 7 of 382)
Anton Klein is recorded as being active in Vienna, Austria between 1753 and 1782. He is also shown as working in Beuron, Hohenzollern, Germany as guild master in 1756 and 1762.
**Fine overall. Barrel retains a mostly blue finish wth some wear to sharp edges and accompanying oxidation. Lock has been cleaned and polished in the European fashion. Stock shows some handling marks and blemishes but no major cracks or splits. Bore is very good with bright finish and visible rifling.**
Provenance
Bill Young Collection
Jim Gabel Collection
$2,500-$3,500
Flintlock Pistol by Franz David Hassel, Eichstett
Lot # 8 (Sale Order: 8 of 382)
Franz David Hassel operated a workshop in Eichstett, Bavaria, about 1760. His son Josef Gabriel also became a gunsmith.
**Very good condition overall. A small amount of blued finish remains with most of barrel taking on a pewter patina. Fittings appear to have been cleaned with a bright lockplate showing some minor oxidation. Action is tight and functional with some evidence of light repair. Bore is good.**
Provenance
Bill Young Collection
Jim Gabel Collection
$1,000-$1,500
German Flintlock Pistol by George Schemezler
Lot # 9 (Sale Order: 9 of 382)
**Fine condition overall. Barrel and lockplate show some evidence of light cleaning. Stock retains its original varnish with some some handling blemishes. Action is tight and functional with a good bore. A good example of an early pan-safety as later used by the Twigg firm of England. Ramrod is a replacement.**
Provenance
Jim Gabel Collection
$1,000-$1,500
German Flintlock Holster Pistol
Lot # 10 (Sale Order: 10 of 382)
**Good condition as-is. Lockplate and small parts have been cleaned and polished to bright. Sideplate screws are replacements. Stock retains its original varnish with some handling marks and blemishes. Action is tight and functional.**
Provenance
Jim Gabel Collection
$1,500-$2,500
Germanic Flintlock Pistol
Lot # 11 (Sale Order: 11 of 382)
**Fine condition overall. Some oxidation to finish with some additional handling marks and blemishes but no major cracks, splits, or other major damage. Action is tight and functional with a bright bore. An unsigned but still desirable example of a Germanic pistol showing strong Austrian influence.**
Provenance
Bill Young Collection
Jim Gabel Collection
$1,500-$2,500
German Flintlock Holster Pistol by Overlack, Essen
Lot # 12 (Sale Order: 12 of 382)
**Very good condition overall. Barrel shows some scattered oxidation and old rust staining. Stock retains its original varnish with some minor handling blemishes and one very small crack just forward of triggerguard. Triggerguard somewhat proud of stock due to age. Action is tight and functional with a good bore.**
Provenance
Jim Gabel Collection
$1,500-$2,500
English Flintlock Pistol by Wheeler
Lot # 13 (Sale Order: 13 of 382)
**Good condition overall. Barrel has a medium pewter patina with some old pitting and oxidation. Stock shows some handling marks and blemishes but no serious cracks or splits. Action is tight and functional with a good bore. Ramrod is a replacement.**
Provenance
Jim Gabel Collection
$800-$1,200
German Flintlock Pistol
Lot # 14 (Sale Order: 14 of 382)
**Good condition as-is. Barrel has a dark pewter patination with some remaining blue on sides of barrel. Stock shows some handling marks and blemishes. Action is tight and functional. Bore is good.**
Provenance
Jim Gabel Collection
$800-$1,200
German Flintlock Pistol by Kohler
Lot # 15 (Sale Order: 15 of 382)
**Very good to fine condition overall. Some evidence of cleaning in the European manner with some old removed pitting. Barrel has a light pewter patina. Stock shows some minor handling marks and blemishes but no major cracks, splits, or other serious damage. Action is tight and functional with a good bore.**
Provenance
Jim Gabel Collection
$1,200-$1,800
Bavarian Hunting Flintlock Pistol by Johann Jacob Kuchenreuter (1709-1783)
Lot # 16 (Sale Order: 16 of 382)
**Signs of light wear from handling and light cleaning, otherwise in very good condition with only a few insignificant marks on stock. Metal has light patina and minor pitting in several places. No evidence of heavy restoration or extensive repairs. All period hardware appears correct.**
Provenance
Bill Young Collection
Jim Gabel Collection
$1,500-$2,500
German Flintlock Pistol by Johann Jacob Kuchenreuter (1709-1783)
Lot # 17 (Sale Order: 17 of 382)
**Fine condition overall. Barrel and lockplate have a matching gunmetal patination with gilt brass showing some minor loss of finish. Stock retains its original varnish with minor handling blemishes. A very attractive piece overall by a member of the famous Kuchenreuter dynasty.**
Provenance
Bill Young Collection
Jim Gabel Collection
$1,500-$2,500
German Flintlock Dueling Pistol by Joseph Kuchenreuter (1712-1769)
Lot # 18 (Sale Order: 18 of 382)
**Fine condition overall. Barrel has taken on a smooth, dark gunmetal patination with some remnants of blue finish. Silver inlay shows some tarnishing. Stock is in very good condition with some minor handling marks and blemishes. Bore shows some oxidation and storage grime.**
Provenance
Jim Gabel Collection
$1,200-$1,800
Composite Flintlock Pistol by Johann Andreas Kuchenreuter (1716-1795)
Lot # 19 (Sale Order: 19 of 382)
Possible 19th Century British restoration. Stock lock and hardware appear to be all British, German barrel by Kuchenreuter mated to lock and stock by Williams. Checked grip on mostly featureless walnut stock with some embossed leaf style engraving on tang.
All steel furniture with facets and engraving throughout. Rounded swan style cut with deep facets and relief scroll work on the side face. Frizzen features deep facets and light floral engraving. Oval pan is engraved with rosettes on the bearing posts. Faceted lock plate engraved "Williams" featuring sun shining down on the makers mark. No side plate. Wooden ramrod with steel ferrules. Engraved steel trigger guard festooned with English style floral engraving. Buttplate features stylized sun flower with flower screw, matching four other screws.
**Steel on barrel features pitting throughout, consistent brown patina beautiful offsetting the silver inlay. Some minor handling marks to stock with no major cracks, splits, or other serious damage. Piece was likely assembled in England from gathered parts.**
Provenance
Jim Gabel Collection
$800-$1,200
German Percussion Conversion Pistol by Johann Andreas Kuchenreuter (1716-1795)
Lot # 20 (Sale Order: 20 of 382)
** Good to very good condition as-is. Barrel has a light plum patination with some needlepoint pitting from age. Stock shows some handling marks and blemishes with a minor split on right side fo forend at barrel pin. Furniture consistent with restoration. 19th century screws present throughout. Action is tight and functional with a good bore**
Provenance
Jim Gabel Collection
$600-$1,000
German Percussion Conversion Pistol by Andreas Jacob Kuchenreuter (1746-1814)
Lot # 21 (Sale Order: 21 of 382)
Rounded lock plate features makers name "IAC. Kuchenreuter" with evidence of percussion cap conversion. Rounded goose neck hammer. Rounded trigger features set screw. Stock is lightly carved near the tang, along sides, and ferrules. Period correct screws throughout. Features horn tipped wooden ramrod.
**Good condition overall. Barrel has a pleasing light plum oxidation with some thinning on raised areas. Sock is in good condition with a section of replaced wood on grip, likely an old socket for shoulder stock. Lockplate shows remnants of flintlock action and is likely the original. Action is tight and functional.**
Provenance
Jim Gabel Collection
$800-$1,200
Reconverted German Flintlock Pistol by Johann Christoph Kuchenreuter (1755-1818)
Lot # 22 (Sale Order: 22 of 382)
**Good condition as-is. This piece was a reconversion by the consignor from percussion. Small parts were cast from other original Kuchenreuter pieces. Lockplate and small parts show some finishing markings from file. Stock shows some handling marks and blemishes. Action is tight and functional. A good entry-level piece for those showing interest in German pistols or flintlocks.**
Provenance
Jim Gabel Collection
$1,000-$1,500
German Percussion Conversion Pistol by I S Tanner, Lauterbach
Lot # 23 (Sale Order: 23 of 382)
**Good condition as-is. Barrel retains a mostly bright finish with some scattered oxidation. Stock shows some various handling marks and blemishes but no major cracks or splits. Action is functional with a good bore showing some easily cleaned orange dust.**
Provenance
Jim Gabel Collection
$800-$1,200
Very Fine Germanic Flintlock Pistol with Damascus Barrel
Lot # 24 (Sale Order: 24 of 382)
**Fine condition overall. Some cleaning of mounts. Stock is in good condition with no major cracks or splits. No visible maker's marks. Action is tight and functional with a good bore. Ramrod may be a replacement. A very fine pistol undoubtedly made for a distinguished gentleman.**
Provenance
Jim Gabel Collection
$1,500-$2,500
Mid-18th Century German Flintlock Holster Pistol
Lot # 25 (Sale Order: 25 of 382)
**Good condition overall. Barrel has a mixed pewter patination with some scattered oxidation and old pitting. Some age and wear to stock but no major cracks or splits. Action is tight and functional with a good bore.**
Provenance
Jim Gabel Collection
$1,200-$1,800