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Pair of cased percussion dueling or target pistols marked Van Wart, Son & Co, London in .54 caliber

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Pair of cased percussion dueling or target pistols marked Van Wart, Son & Co, London in .54 caliber
All items are as is, no warranty or claims and All SALES ARE FINAL. Please examine prior to bidding as it is the bidder's responsibilty to establish condition, age, genuineness, value or any other determinative factors.
Pair of cased percussion dueling or target pistols marked Van Wart, Son & Co, London in .54 caliber smoothbore with half stocks and octagon barrels. The pair measure 17” overall with 10” barrels of medium weight. The locks are nicely engraved as are the mounts and the pistols show a gold line at the breech and platinum plug in drum. The forend cap and escutcheons for barrel key are silver. The stocks are nicely checkered. The metal surfaces remain in good to very good condition with considerable traces of brown finish on barrels with Damascus pattern. Good traces of case hardening on locks. The stocks are very good with just normal aging. The interior of the case is lined in English style with partitions. The lining is green felt and shows some mothing with small losses. The lining is fair to good and the case retains a Bartram marked bag shape flask, screwdriver, nipple wrench, mold, patch cutter and rod. A working key and compartment cover are also retained. The exterior of the case is veneered mahogany with brass mounts and brass carrying ring in typical English style. The exterior of the case is good with scratches and normal aging. Van Wart was primarily an agent or dealer who purchased arms in England and exported them to the American market. Many of his customers were located in the southern United States shortly before the Civil War where dueling was popular and English arms were in high favor. Est.: $5,000-$10,000.