Cased Pair of English Percussion Overcoat Pistols by James Collins
.65 caliber (carbine bore). 6.75" wedge retained smoothbore octagonal barrels. no S/N. Damascus patterned browned barrels, color casehardened break-off breeches, casehardened locks, blued hammers and iron furniture, German silver wedge escutcheons and thumb plate, walnut stocks with checkered grips. Top flats of barrels engraved "COLLINS LONDON", locks engraved "COLLINS" as well. Locks and furniture engraved with high quality, tight foliate scrolls, triggerguard with pineapple finial. Floral engraved cap boxes in butts. Bolsters with platinum blowouts, blued dovetailed notch rear sight and dovetailed front sight blade. Horn-tipped ramrods with heavy brass butts and concealed ball pullers. Back action locks with three-click tumblers. Pistols are contained in what appears to be their original English compartmentalized mahogany veneer retailer casing with a green baize lining, recessed brass carry handle, a pair of brass clasp closures, Bible hinges and a lock. The inner lid retains a paper James Collins retailer label listing his address as 115 Regent Street, London. Accessories include a heavy wood loading rod with removable brass head and concealed ball puller, a "SYKES" maker marked compartmentalized flask with powder, ball and grease/patch compartment, a walnut handled cone wrench and a later period aluminum oiler with an 1896 patent date. James Collins was a London gunmaker and retailer who worked circa 1825-1854. He was located at his 115 Regent Street address circa 1833-1854. A lovely set in wonderful condition with a nice case and fine multi-compartment flask.
Condition:
Very fine. Pistols retain most of their period brown and Damascus patterning on the barrels, as well as much of the vivid case color on the breeches. Locks with traces of color and furniture with some flaked traces of blue, otherwise with a lightly oxidized dull brownish-gray patina. Markings and engraving remain crisp and sharp throughout. Locks extremely crisp and mechanically functional, bores mostly brilliant and bright with some freckled surface oxidation and discoloration. Stocks near fine with scattered minor bumps, dings and handling marks but no damage. Case about good to very good with some wear, warping to the lid and a couple of re-glued seams, showing scattered bumps, dings and mars. Interior with wear and some loss to the lining, which shows some fading and color loss. Flask about fine, as is loading rod. Cone wrench old, but a likely replacement. Oiler incorrect and much later.
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