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Cased Historical Post Civil War Confederate Inscribed Pair of Hollis & Sheath Percussion Dueling Pis

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:7,500.00 - 15,000.00 USD
Cased Historical Post Civil War Confederate Inscribed Pair of Hollis & Sheath Percussion Dueling Pis
These Dueling pistols have a very interesting history which is detailed in the autobiography "Some Reminiscences" by William L. Royall. The pistols were used in at least two documented duels involving a Governor of the state of Virginia. A copy of the book accompanies the pair. The pistols were made by Hollis & Sheath of London and both have a silver scroll on the left stock flat which are inscribed W.L. ROYALL / from / his friends / Gen. W.H. Payne / Capt A.D. Payne / Bernard P. Green / Col. Thomas. Smith / June 6 1880". The officers listed were Confederate soldiers during the Civil War and Colonel Smith's father was General "Extra Billy" Smith who served as the Governor of Virginia for a time. One of the stories goes as follows: One evening Royall received a telegram from Colonel Smith asking him to come to Washington City. When he arrived he found Smith accompanied by General William Payne, Captain A.D. Payne and Bernard Green. Apparently an editorial in the Richmond "Whig" contained scandalous, offensive and false references about Colonel Smith's father. Smith was going to have the writer, a man by the last name of Elam, held to a personal account. Royall knew that the firm of Tignor & Co. had a pair of dueling pistols that had been used in a duel between Colonel Cameron, later governor of Virginia and Robert W. Hughs, later U.S. District Judge in Virginia in which Cameron was badly wounded. The duel between Smith and Elam took place at sunrise near Oakwood. Elam was wounded in the chin and was unable to continue the duel. Royall's friends bought the pistols and had them inscribed and presented to him. Royall served as an independent Cavalry Scout for the army of Northern Virginia and later became a highly successful Wall Street Constitutional lawyer. General Payne commanded "Payne's Brigade", Captain Payne commanded the "Black Horse Cavalry" (Company H, 4th Virginia Cavalry) which served as the elite troop that served as personal escort of General Stonewall Jackson during the Civil War, Colonel Smith commanded the 36th Regiment, Virginia Infantry, and after the war practiced law in Warrenton, Virginia, and Green served on the personal staff of Jackson. The pistols are marked "HOLLIS & SHEATH" on the lock and "HOLLIS & SHEATH LONDON" on the top barrel flat. There are two gold inlaid bands around the rear of the breech plug. The hammer, lock, breech plug, barrel tang and trigger guard have light floral scroll engraving. Brass bead front and fixed notch rear sights, and mounted with a one piece half-stock with silver wedge escutcheons, horn forend cap, checkered grip area, silver thumb oval and scroll engraved iron buttcap with cap compartment. Complete in a dark stained wooden case with purple velvet lining.
BBL: 10 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 45 percussion
Finish: brown/casehardened/blue
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Fine. The barrel retains half of the original brown finish and Damascus pattern. The trigger guard retains 50% original blue finish with the balance having a smooth mottled brown patina. The remaining metal surfaces have a smooth mottled gray patina. Most of the gold inlay remains. The stock is also very good with scattered minor dings, dents and scratches. There is a small chip on the forend cap and the checkering is crisp. The action is excellent. The markings, engraving and inscription remain clear. The case is good overall with chips and crazing of the finish, and minor scuffs and scratches. The lining shows some heavy wear and worn edges, and some heavy contact wear. A very interesting set of dueling pistols with documented history involving prominent Confederate Officers and high ranking political officials.

B) Hollis & Sheath Percussion Dueling Pistol
Described in "A".
BBL: 10 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 45 percussion
Finish: brown/casehardened/blue
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Very good. Half of the original brown finish and Damascus pattern remains on the barrel. There is strong traces of original blue finish remaining on the trigger guard with the balance a smooth mottled gray patina. The remaining metal surfaces have a smooth mottled gray patina. Most of the gold inlay remains. The stock is very good also with almost all of the original varnish remaining, some scattered minor dings and dents, and crisp checkering. There is a small piece of the forend cap missing on the right side. The hammer is broken at the base of the spur, otherwise the action is excellent. The markings and engraving remain clear.