Make: There are no maker's marks or proofs to determine their maker or country of origin.
Model: Matched Pair, Double Barrel Over/Under Boxlock Percussion Pistols
Serial Number: No Serial Number visible (NSN)
Year of Manufacture: Likely Late 19th Century, ATF Antique
Caliber: .40 Caliber “Cap and Ball”
Action Type: Single Action, Folding Trigger, Screw-Barrel Over/Under Double Barrel Pistols (we were not able to remove the barrels)
Markings: The pistols are both engraved with animal and landscape scenes on each side of their “boxlocks”, with understated yet elegant decorative floral scroll engraving on their top and bottom tangs, as well as the undersides of their folding triggers. One pistol's bottom barrel is marked "6". The other pistol’s bottom barrel is marked "2", with that number also found on the bottom of the frame behind the barrel.
Barrel Length: 3"
Sights / Optics: Each pistol has a "V"-notch rear sight integral to the frame between the hammers. There is no front sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: Each pistol has a one-piece smooth walnut grip with a hinged german-silver cap over a patchbox on the bottom. The grips have scattered light nicks, scuffs, and scratches, with a few more notable compressions. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good Plus condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Bright
Finish Originality: Original.Some areas show polishing, but there is no evidence of a new finish being applied.
Bore Condition: The bores are gray. The straight fouling grooves are well defined. There is scattered erosion in the bores. In this writer's opinion, the bores rate a 5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: These handguns retain about 70% of their metal finish. There is scattered light surface oxidation and minor erosion. There are some nicks, scuffs, and scratches. There are some light tool marks. The markings range from clear to worn. The screw heads are tool marked, ranging from strong slots to disfigured with likely usable slots. Overall, these pistols are in Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The actions function correctly. The triggers flip down automatically when the hammers are cocked, the triggers spring up automatically when the hammers are down. We did not fire these handguns. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pair comes with a unique ridged bone, metal framed powder flask/measure by George and John William Hawskley, a well known English maker of the late 19th century. The measure is graduated from 3/16 to 1/4 to 5/16, presumably in teaspoons. The set comes complete in a vintage "treasure chest" style wood display or travel case with a red felt lining, and brass dividers inside to neatly separate the pistols and powder flask for safe storage and transport. The case is in Good condition, with some surface cracking to the hinged top lid, and with the front keyhole escutcheon remaining askew (no key included). The powder flask is in Good condition as well, with some “browning” around the lower body.
Our Assessment: These neat little self-defense pistols would have been carried in the pocket of anyone in the busy cities of London or Paris during the tumultuous times of the mid-1800s. These “pocket pistols” are small, light, and simple, and were the "Saturday Night Specials" of the mid-19th century. They were often called "Gentleman's" or "Muff” Pistols, as they were favored among the gentry and women because of their ease of use and concealability. Men would carry them hidden in a waistcoat pocket, and women would tuck them in a hand muff. This pair of Antique Double Barrel Over/Under Boxlock Percussion Pistols are unmarked as to their maker or date (though likely date to the mid to late 19th century and are classified as an ATF Antique), remain in Very Good condition as Antique, and are chambered in .40 caliber “cap and ball”. They feature 3” over/under double barrels, 70% of their original bright finish, animal and landscape scenes engraved on each side of their “boxlocks”, understated yet elegant decorative floral scroll engraving on their top and bottom tangs, as well as the undersides of their folding triggers, smooth one-piece walnut grips, strong mechanics, and gray bores with well defined straight fouling grooves. We were not able to remove the barrels. The barrels are not keyed and no wrench is included, but it should be easy to fashion something that will find purchase on the bores' straight fouling grooves. The pair comes with a unique ridged bone, metal framed powder flask/measure by George and John William Hawskley, a well known English maker of the late 19th century. The measure is graduated from 3/16 to 1/4 to 5/16, presumably in teaspoons. The set comes complete in a vintage "treasure chest" style wood display or travel case with a red felt lining, and brass dividers inside to neatly separate the pistols and powder flask for safe storage and transport. The case is in Good condition, with some surface cracking to the hinged top lid, and with the front keyhole escutcheon remaining askew (no key included). The powder flask is in Good condition as well, with some “browning” around the lower body. This is a wonderful set that exudes mid-19th century European class and craftsmanship, and will display well in any historical firearms collection.
Pistol