SUPERB PAIR OF RELIEF CARVED STUMP MAPLE STOCKED LONG FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOLS WITH RELIEF CHISELED STEEL MOUNTS, LOCKS, COCKS, FRIZZENS AND BARRELS BY THE MASTER THD A TANN, BAVARIA GERMANY CIRCA 1695.

SN NSN. These are truly masterpieces of late 17th century German gunmaking rivaling the works of the great Hermann Bongarde of Dusseldorf. Beginning in the court workshops of Munich with Johann, Emanuel, and Daniel Sadeler, continuing with Caspar Spat, the fine chiseling of iron and steel mounts, barrels, and locks is a German tradition. The locks, frizzens, and cocks are relief carved with serpents and the face of Aeolus, Greek god of the wind blowing scrolls from his mouth. The signature IND A TANN curves around the delicately sculpted pan. The trigger plates are pierced and the triggers finely pierced and articulated, a refinement found only on the finest early flintlock pistols. The steel thumbpieces are pierced. Both cocks are original and chiseled with a serpent. The long spurred buttcaps are decorated in relief with grotesque faces and scrolls issuing from their heads. Ramrod thimbles are finely turned and chiseled. The long barrels feature a raised sighting rib, foresight, and chiseled breeches, Triggerguards are well filed and engraved with bird on bows. The sideplates are of a pattern made famous in the series by Jean Berain and are carved and pierced with foliage and two heads, one of a serpent and the other of a lion. The highly figured stump maple full stocks are relief carved with scrolls on the forestocks, around the barrel tangs, and mounded around the locks. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: The steel parts have some very minor erosion but are generally fine with the chiseling retaining good definition with little of the rubbing normally associated with 17th century firearms. The stocks are excellent with crisp carving and only a few minor cracks in the fore-ends, unavoidable given the incredible figure of the wood. Even the ramrods appear original to the pistols. The pistols are very nearly the equal of the Bongarde pistols featured on the dust jacket of the book, Decorated Firearms, 1540-1870, from the Collection of Clay P. Bedford and unlike the Bedford examples these retain their original fore-ends. This is a really grand pair of early, long flintlock holster pistols with few if any of the usual ‘health’ issues and would take pride of place in any collection. 4-50044 (10,000-15,000) – Lot 3458

Click here to view provenance

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	3458	$31,050.00	SUPERB PAIR OF RELIEF CARVED STUMP MAPLE STOCKED LONG FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOLS WITH RELIEF CHISELED STEEL MOUNTS, LOCKS, COCKS, FRIZZENS AND BARRELS BY THE MASTER THD A TANN, BAVARIA GERMANY CIRCA 1695. SN NSN. These are truly masterpieces of late 17th century German gunmaking rivaling the works of the great Hermann Bongarde of Dusseldorf. Beginning in the court workshops of Munich with Johann, Emanuel, and Daniel Sadeler, continuing with Caspar Spat, the fine chiseling of iron and steel mounts, barrels, and locks is a German tradition. The locks, frizzens, and cocks are relief carved with serpents and the face of Aeolus, Greek god of the wind blowing scrolls from his mouth. The signature IND A TANN curves around the delicately sculpted pan. The trigger plates are pierced and the triggers finely pierced and articulated, a refinement found only on the finest early flintlock pistols. The steel thumbpieces are pierced. Both cocks are original and chiseled with a serpent. The long spurred buttcaps are decorated in relief with grotesque faces and scrolls issuing from their heads. Ramrod thimbles are finely turned and chiseled. The long barrels feature a raised sighting rib, foresight, and chiseled breeches, Triggerguards are well filed and engraved with bird on bows. The sideplates are of a pattern made famous in the series by Jean Berain and are carved and pierced with foliage and two heads, one of a serpent and the other of a lion. The highly figured stump maple full stocks are relief carved with scrolls on the forestocks, around the barrel tangs, and mounded around the locks. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: The steel parts have some very minor erosion but are generally fine with the chiseling retaining good definition with little of the rubbing normally associated with 17th century firearms. The stocks are excellent with crisp carving and only a few minor cracks in the fore-ends, unavoidable given the incredible figure of the wood. Even the ramrods appear original to the pistols. The pistols are very nearly the equal of the Bongarde pistols featured on the dust jacket of the book, Decorated Firearms, 1540-1870, from the Collection of Clay P. Bedford and unlike the Bedford examples these retain their original fore-ends. This is a really grand pair of early, long flintlock holster pistols with few if any of the usual ‘health’ issues and would take pride of place in any collection. 4-50044 (10,000-15,000) – Lot 3458 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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SUPERB PAIR OF RELIEF CARVED STUMP MAPLE STOCKED LONG FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOLS WITH RELIEF CHISELED STEEL MOUNTS, LOCKS, COCKS, FRIZZENS AND BARRELS BY THE MASTER THD A TANN, BAVARIA GERMANY CIRCA 1695.