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Lot 294*

A Very Fine Pair Of French 22-Bore Silver-Mounted Flintlock Holster Pistols
By Le Lorain A Valence, Circa 1720

6 April 2006, 13:00 BST
London, Knightsbridge

Sold for £10,200 inc. premium

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A Very Fine Pair Of French 22-Bore Silver-Mounted Flintlock Holster Pistols
By Le Lorain A Valence, Circa 1720

With long russet barrels each with silver fore-sight and signed in full in gold along the sighting flat at the breech, the latter decorated in gold on each side with an arcaded design surmounted by a bird, a pair of crossed trumpets suspended from a ribbon above a plumed close-helmet between, tangs decorated in gold with a symmetrical design of foliated strapwork, signed border engraved flat bevelled locks each engraved with a trophy of arms on the plate and stepped tail, cocks (one an old replacement) each engraved with a dog and foliage, gilt retaining screws, moulded highly figured full stocks (minor splits and damage) each inlaid with silver wire scrollwork in front of the lock, side-plates and along the back of the butt, border engraved mounts comprising shaped flat bevelled side-plate each cast and chased with a trophy of arms against a finely stippled ground, ovoidal escutcheons engraved with crowned owner's crest of Le Fèvre de Caumartin, spurred pommels each engraved on both sides with the profile bust of a helmeted Classical warrior against a stand of arms, and with grotesque mask butt-caps, trigger-guards each with a leashed dog seated on a ledge against a finely stippled ground, a small grotesque mask above, foliate finials each with a flower against a stippled ground, engraved and faceted ramrod-pipes, and later horn-tipped ramrods (some wear overall) (2)
38 cm. barrels

Footnotes

Provenance:
Le Fèvre de Caumartin, probably Chevalier Antoine Louis François Le Fèvre de Caumartin, Marquis de Saint Auge, Councillor of State and First President of the Grand Council (d. 1749)
Dr. J.F. Hayward Collection

Exhibited:
The Art of The Armourer, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 19 April-5 May, 1963

Literature:
J.F. Hayward, The Art Of The Gunmaker, 1963, vol. II, pp. 53, 327, pls. 9b, 10b and 21b
The Art of The Armourer, exhibition catalogue, cat. no. 240, p. 70

Le Lorrain à Valence was one of the most distinguished of the 18th Century provincial gunmakers and examples of his work rarely come on the market

Additional information

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