Cased Pair of Officers Pistols by Collins…SOLD
Created on November 11th 2010
Excellent pair of Cased Percussion Pistols by Collins of London
A superb complete Pair of Percussion Pistols by Collins of London with accessories.
THE CASE; Antique Mahogany, measuring 17″ long x 8.1/8″ wide x 2.3/4″ deep, lined with its original green baized compartments, one with lid and ivory lifting button. The original makers label afixed in the lid, showing signs of wear and contact with the boxes contents. The label reads; “JAMES COLLINS, / Guns Pistol Maker and Sword Cutler / 115 REGENT STREET, / LONDON.” Inlaid military brass carrying handle, swivel hooks to the front and lock. Key and brass escutcheon AF. The exterior of the case showing wear consistent with its age but, no serious faults. The interior of the box shows signs of wear from the contents which can only develop over some period of time – these pistols have been with this box for a long time.
Contained within the case are the following accessories; traditional two-way leather covered pistol flask with spout and cut-off spring, unnamed. An excellent black jappaned tin of un-opened percussion caps, the label reading, “J. GOLDMARK’S PERCUSSION CAPS. / WATERPROOF. / E.B. GROUND EDGE / CENTRAL FIRE. 100” and a retailers name “THEODORE WEHLE, / NEW YORK”. (When shaken it sounds full) The nipple removal driver with turned rosewood handle (the correct size for these pistols- fits perfectly). A small screw turner with dark rosewood handle. The correct scissor bullet mold, stamped “35” on one of the arms. An excellent round headed rosewood cleaning rod (which fits perfectly into an indentation within the box) with brass jag which unscrews to reveal good sharp steel ball extracting screw. In the lidded compartment there are approx’ 16 balls of the right caliber.
THE PISTOLS; An identical pair. Measuring 13.1/2″ long overall. 8″ Octagonal brown damascus barrels. Smoothbored .50 caliber. Dove-tailed silver sights. Percussion ignition. Double platinum inlaid lines at the case-hardened breeches. The rear sight mounted on the engraved barrel tangs. Barrels are engraved on the top flat with “COLLINS – London” Under each barrel the rib and ebony brass tipped loading rods. Engraved iron trigger guards with pineapple finials showing some original blue. Chequered english walnut half stocks, with blank silver escutcheons at the rear of the grips with silver escutcheons around the blued cross pins. Ebony fore-end caps to the stocks.
The locks are flat and well engraved, showing spectacularly strong case colour hardening. Each lock has a sliding safety which acts on the inside of the lock, holding the pistol at half cock. The locks read “COLLINS / LONDON” and both function perfectly. The hammers are also case hardend with monsters heads engraved.
Altogether these pistols are in lovely untouched condition and many components seem to have been with the set for a long time. Superb condition and functionality – all that the serious collector is looking for in an investment piece of this caliber.
The bores are clean with virtually no pitting. The breeches and nipples are clear and the latter removable with the correct tool enclosed in the case.
£10,350.00 Reduced to £8950.00
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