A Fine Cased Pair Of Irish 38-Bore Percussion Saw-Handled Duelling Or Target Pistols

A Fine Cased Pair Of Irish 38-Bore Percussion Saw-Handled Duelling Or Target Pistols By Wm. & Jn. Rigby, Dublin, Nos. 9748 And 9749 For 1847 With etched twist octagonal sighted barres (one with minor marks on the top flat behind the fore-sight) each signed in gothic script along the top flat and with bright bore, case-hardened breeches engraved with foliage on top and each with three platinum lines and pierced platinum plug, foliate scroll engraved case-hardened tangs and border engraved detented back-action locks, the former each with blued back-sight, the latter signed in gothic script on a scroll, foliate engraved dolphin hammers, figured half-stocks (some old bruising) each with characteristic spur and chequered rounded butt with flat ovoidal pommel, steel mounts comprising border engraved case-hardened pommel-caps each with retaining screw centred on a foliate scroll, fore-end caps en suite, blued spur trigger-guards, trigger-plates and turned rear ramrod-pipes, the first each decorated with foliate scrollwork on the border engraved bow, the second (some loss of finish) each with engraved pineapple-shaped finial, vacant silver escutcheons, border engraved steel barrel-bolt escutcheons, set triggers, original wooden ramrods serial numbered to the pistols and each with threaded brass cap over the worm, and retaining some original finish: in original lined and fitted brass-mounted oak case serial numbered to the pistols and with some accessories including Dixon & Son brass-mounted three-way powder-flask, the interior of the lid with John Rigby & Co. trade label of circa 1866, the exterior (old split along the top) with circular vacant brass escutcheon centred on a circular flush-fitting brass carrying handle 21.5 cm. barrels Footnotes: Literature D.H.L. Back, Great Irish Gunmakers: Messrs Rigby 1760-1869, 1992, p.114. Recorded as 'Pair of saw-handled duelling pistols Cased' and sold to A. Thistlethwaite, 85 Light Infantry for £26.5.0 See footnote to preceding lot This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing