AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: Justin Urbantas on November 16, 2020, 07:59:35 AM
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Look at these, guys. Made in 1855.
They are coming up for auction, and expected to fetch $60,000-$90,000.
Here is the description of them from the auction site.
I don't know what all the accessories are.
Incredible Cased Pair of Exhibition Sculpted, Chiseled, and Relief Carved Percussion Target Pistols from Louis-Julien Gastinne-Renette Crafted for Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria and Exhibited at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1855 -A) Exhibition Pistol
This cased pair was previously on loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art from the Dr. Gerald Klaz collection and listed as by Louis-Julien Gastinne-Renette c. 1855 (L.1991.70.5) and as displayed in the then newly renovated Arms & Armor Galleries staring in October of 1991. They were originally on display at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1855. Additional notes from the MET provide insight into the historic nature of this set: it was crafted specifically for Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria. He was also the president of the German Confederation and "This pair of pistols, otherwise unrecorded, is mentioned in a report by gunmaker Anton Lebeda on the firearms exhibited in Paris. Gastinne-Renette apparently displayed several arms made for the Emperor, including this pair, which is mentioned as having grape-leaf decoration on the box. The imperial crown on the lid, with initials KH (Kaiserliche Hoheit = Imperial Highness), confirms this identification." These pistols are in the general style of those popular in France and Belgium in the 1840s-1850s and some of the incredibly elaborate pistols displayed at the French and international exhibitions of the 19th century. The sculpting and engraving on the metal and the relief carving of the stocks consist primarily of highly detailed branches, grapes, and grape leaves, an interesting departure from the more common patterns seen on pistols from the region in this era. Several components feature pieced designs that give the leaves added dimension, and the barrel has attractive ribs extending between the branches. The barrels also have dovetailed post front sights, and the upper tangs have key adjustable notch rear sights. The pair have no visible maker's markings. The only markings found are Liege provisional proofs and "11.6" concealed on the bottom of the barrels. The case has coordinating carving and a crown over "KH" at the center and contains a suite of loading and maintenance tools that are also very finely engraved, sculpted, and carved in coordination with the pistols. For example, the case and sight keys and the mainspring vice turn screw have pierced leaf and grape designs, and the French gray metal on the accessories is likewise engraved with leaves, grapes, and branches. The ebony components are carved with coordinating floral grape leaf and floral patterns.
(https://i.ibb.co/c1b76V8/3322-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KXN32Ss)
(https://i.ibb.co/mqTYFwK/3322-5.jpg) (https://ibb.co/yyPMB1C)
(https://i.ibb.co/ZXvdmc2/3322.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tKnBXYL)
(https://i.ibb.co/JsvL2yT/3322-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/FD5vJ01)
(https://i.ibb.co/dg52xmr/3322-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/pyLz5hx)
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Don't you wonder how these leave the family and or country? Maybe there is no more family, but you would think a museum in Austria
would have them.
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For some, cash is more interesting than this extraordinary set.
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Don't you wonder how these leave the family and or country?
Maybe the guy who owned them got killed in a duel and the family didn't want the bad memories around anymore.
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For some, cash is more interesting than this extraordinary set.
Cash to me would be much more interesting than these pistols.The possibility of s
$90,000 payday would be very interesting. ;D.
Bob Roller
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A $90,000 payday would be nice, but if I had a spare million, I'd have these and a few others in my study.
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I don't generally post about my day job here (as a describer for Rock Island Auction Company), but I figured this would be appropriate to share given the interest already expressed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0U3RorfknI&t=77s
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Wow. I bet that was a treat to hold and examine them
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Absolutely. I get to work with some absolutely incredible pieces every year, including long rifles, Hawken rifles, and other American muzzle loaders.
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Oh yeah! The accessories are exquisite as well.