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Antique Naval flintlock pistols could continue 2012's rare firearms success

This historic pair of Naval boarding flintlock pistols from the late-18th century is auctioning online

In the wake of Sotheby's Americana Week's recent $1.14m World Record price for an antique firearm, vintage gun sales appear to be going strong in 2012.

Sotheby's success came with its sale of a rare 1849 Colt pocket revolver. Samuel Colt's gold-inlaid and deep relief revolver, produced by his firm circa 1853, beat the $977,500 achieved for an 1836 Colt at a US auction in September 2011.

But if you missed that sale don't fret, because there will be plenty more opportunities to bid on antique firearms on 2012.

Examples coming up for auction include this pair of Naval boarding flintlock pistols. The pair dates from the late-18^th century and are believed to be "probably American".

The historic pair of Naval boarding flintlock pistols

The guns' features include engraved, tapered barrels and fine silver wire inlaid walnut stocks. As shown in the picture, the guns' simple lockplate and shaped inset trigger guards are typical of such weapons from the 18^th century.

Each antique gun's barrel measures seven inches, and each piece measures 12 ½ inches overall.

Compared to the million dollar-plus sums some guns achieve on the auction block, this attractive pair of flintlock pistols will auction with a $5,000 - $7,500 presale estimate. Consequently, they will likely appeal to collectors on the lookout for quality and (relatively) lower priced antique firearms.

The pair will auction in Northbrook, Illinois on February 22.

Recent and related articles

  Colt engraved army revolver could blast to $8,500 in Milhous Americana sale | 5 February 2012

  Henry lever-action rifle set to make Rock Island Auction's firearms sale a blast | 30 January 2012

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Images: Universal Live