Image Lot Price Description




3474
$9,200.00

VERY RARE AND ATTRACTIVE BRASS FRAME FRENCH FLINTLOCK DUCK’S FOOT BOXLOCK FLINTLOCK FOUR BARRELED VOLLEY PISTOL BY LELYON, VERSAILLES CIRCA 1815 (?).

SN NSN. All original period duck’s foot flintlock pistols are extremely rare and desirable collector’s items and have been since the early 1950’s. Most original examples are English as was the unique diminutive example sold in our March 2014 Auction by Sykes of Oxford, also from the Sirkin Collection. Continental specimens such as this one by Lelyon are even rarer. The large brass frame is engraved with the traditional stand of arms and guilloche borders and flares out quite distinctly to form the massive breech needed to hold the powder charge for the four barrels. The round flash pan is dished into the frame and the frizzen severely relieved so as to accommodate a large priming charge. The frizzen spring is very finely engraved on its sides and wider than on a normal boxlock flintlock. The center hung hammer is well engraved as is the original topjaw. The pistol has a push-on safety and a large, finely formed steel belthook. The blued steel barrels are octagonal with well turned cannon muzzles and are decorated with punched stars and line engraved borders. The punched stars are normally associated with the Versailles Manufactory and its director, Nicholas Noel Boutet. Lelyon is listed in Stockel as a Versailles maker. The plain slab sided walnut butt is unadorned except for a plain brass thumb-piece. Note: We believe that this example is a genuine early 19th century Duck’s Foot pistol as the construction of the frame would indicate it cannot have been made from a single shot flintlock. However due to the fact that 9 out of every 10 Duck’s Foot flintlock pistols are copies made from single shot boxlock pistols and that even recognized experts from England’s most famous auction houses may differ on the originality of any given specimen, we sell it with the understanding that there are those who may question it hence the 1815 (?) in the heading. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Overall the brass is very crisp showing little wear and the engraving is sharp and clear. The steel barrels display no pitting and retain considerable light bluing. The wood butt is clean however the brass thumb-piece appears to be a replacement. 4-50000 (6,000-12,000) – Lot 3474

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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.