Berretta Pistol SOLD

This is a very rare and unique pistol, made by Beretta of Italy,  I have never seen a Howdah pistol made by Beretta, I estimate this piece was manufactured 1850-1880, Beretta has been manufacturing firearms since the early 1500's.  Stamped Gardone on the bottom of the barrels, indicating the town of Gardone where it was manufactured.  Pistol is in amazing condition with the wood being very solid with minimal bumps and bruises, there is still a very distinct Damascus pattern to the barrels and mechanically it functions as it should.  The howdah pistol was a large-calibre handgun, often with two or four barrels, used in India and Africa from the beginning of the nineteenth century, and into the early twentieth century, during the British Empire era. It was typically intended for defence against tigers, lions, and other dangerous animals that might be encountered in remote areas. Multi-barreled breech-loading designs were later favoured over contemporary revolvers, due to their higher velocity and faster reloading potential.

The term "howdah pistol" comes from the howdah a large platform mounted on the back of an elephant. Hunters, particularly in British Raj.India, used howdahs as a platform for hunting, and needed large-calibre side-arms for protection against close quarters animal attacks.  The practice of hunting from the howdah basket on top of an Asian elephant was first made popular by the joint Anglo-Indian East India Company during the 1790s. The early howdah pistols were flintlock designs, and it was not until about 60 years later that percussion models in single or double barrel configuration were seen. By the 1890s and early 1900s cartridge-firing and fully rifled howdah pistols were standard.  The first breech-loading howdah pistols were little more than sawn off rifles, typically in .577 snider or .577/.450 martini henry calibre. This was practical in that the huntsman could use the same ammunition in rifle and pistol, as well as being a powerful round.  Later English firearms makers manufactured specially-designed howdah pistols in both rifle calibres and standard pistol calibres such as .455 Webley and .476 Enfield.  As a result, the term "howdah pistol" is often applied to a number of English multi-barrelled handguns including the Lancaster pistol (available in a variety of calibres from .380" to .577"), and various .577 calibre revolvers produced in England and Europe for a brief time in the mid-late 19th century.  A howdah pistol with its closed breach shot at a substantially higher velocity than a revolver of the same calibre, in that there was not the revolver's gas leakage at the cylinder.  

Although howdah pistols were originally for emergency defence against dangerous animals in Africa and India, British officers later carried them for personal protection and even battlefield use.  By the late 19th century, top-break revolvers in more practical calibres (such as .455 Webley) had become widespread, removing much of the traditional market for howdah pistols.

$3500 SOLD

In the late 17th century plug bayonets were used by Infantry all over Europe as an attachment to the muzzle of a musket, once the last round had been fired, in order to turn the musket into a pike for dismounting Cavalry troops.  The circular hilt was literally inserted into the bore effectively creating a long reaching spear or lance. Later replaced by a socket or other style bayonets. Plug bayonets made in the 19th century were intended hunting Wild Boar. Once the rifle was discharged, having a raging wild boar charging you was always a terrifying possibility, so these hunting knife style plug bayonets provided some "at a distance" protection.  This is a classic example not sure of age. It features a circular horn hilt.  Worn in a scabbard from the belt you can be sure these were often used in brawls in many a Tavern. 

$350

An extremely rare, amongst few of a kind, Marlin Ballard target/sporting rifle with no assignable model designation.  Reference J.T. Dutcher’s book, Ballard -The Great American Single Shot Rifle, page 281,“Special Factory made Marlin Ballard Rifles” ref. shows 7 similar, non assignable model Ballards, one being serial # 5266, the twin to this rifle, serial # 5264, Cal. .38-55, 31 in. octagon/round barrel with mint bore. Front sight is windage adjustable with spirit level, rear sight is a tang medium range peep. Scroll engraved muzzle and rebated side frames. Checkered wood is overall stunning with small cracks on both sides of wrist at receiver, butt stock sports a nickel plated butt plate, front stock has a carved horn cap. Barrel is drilled and tapped and upper tang has an extra hole which is hidden under the peep sight.  Rifle remains in fine original condition with rich dark barrel bluing, visible faded case coloured frame, hammer and lever and most of the original stock finish.  This is a rifle for the advanced collector.​​ 

$6700  Can. SOLD

This is a rare and unusual rifle.  Not very common to see a heavy octagon, number 3, non tapered barrel in a take down and 25-20 SS.  It should be pointed out that the barrel address is on the side of the barrel flat which means it was originally made for scope mounts.  The 25-20 SS is a Single Shot, not to be confused with the 25-20 pistol cartridge the two are not interchangeable.  The rifle is in fine condition with a mint bore, the wood is excellent with the metal finish being 90 % plus overall.  The box is of very solid heavy construction, likely oak.  Date of manufacture would be 1918.  Call for more details.

$8500

Fausti, superposed, Model Conrad, 2 3/4 inch, 410 Gauge, with interchangeable chokes and 28 inch barrels.  The pics will tell the story, this is a new unfired shotgun.

$1700

Fausti, SXS, DEA Model, 2 3/4 inch, 28 Gauge, with interchangeable chokes and 28 inch barrels.  The pics will tell the story, this is a new unfired shotgun.

$4950

Fausti, superposed, Conrad Model, 2 3/4 inch, 28 Gauge, with interchangeable chokes and 30 inch barrels.  The pics will tell the story, this is a new unfired shotgun.

​$2250 Can.

This is a very rare shotgun, less than 500 of these were made, date of manufacture is 1868-1870.  Apparently, Bacon was attempting to obtain a military contract with this shotgun, he did not meet with success , as the design, although ingenious, was not very strong.  The double bolt actions are combersome to operate and make the wrist of the gun subject to breakage, which happens to this gun as well, you cab see an old repair to the wrist in the pictures.  Gun appears to have been refreshed at some time in its life, with the damascus pattern very strong and the wood finish vibrant.  It is chambered in 12 bore and sports 28 inch barrels This will make a nice addition for the shotgun collector.

$2600

Lancaster 28 Bore made in 1925.  Not sure what there is to say about this piece that the pictures do not already tell.  It is one of the best small bore guns I have ever had in my hands, from the 100% engraving to the ivory beads it is a beautiful gun.  It sports 28 inch barrels and is a gem to shoulder, fits like a glove.  This gun is nothing short of perfect.

$21,000

Date of Manufacture 1903.  This is an interesting old hunter, obviously used by a number of different people over the years, likely from the same family.  An indication of this is from the kill notches in the butt plate with initials indicating the lucky hunter.  It has a wonderful set of folk art carvings on the butt stock, a native Indian with head dress, a fox on the hunt, a beaver trap, a woman's legs with garters or stockings and a horse's head.  Overall, the rifle has very little if any original blue left on it and the barrel/mag has been shortened.  It does have a decent shootable bore.  A very interesting bit of art and history, and still functional. 

$575 Can.