Antique wheel-lock puffer pistol to go off with a bang at collectible firearms auction

Hermann Historica's militaria auctions begin with rare antique pistols of flintlock and wheel-lock kinds

We can hardly wait for Hermann Historica's series of militaria auctions which spread throughout the next two weeks to get underway, including a truly beautiful range of edged weapons and some fascinating, though naturally controversial German militaria from the second quarter of the 20^th century.

Naturally, there is also a strong section for lovers of antique firearms, which we can take a look at now.

The offerings in the section of high-quality pieces are once again very exclusive, starting with excellent flintlock pistols, such as the rare finely crafted flintlock pistols from Brescia made by Pietro Fiorentini around 1730, introduced at €8,000; a pair of flintlock pistols from Liège with chiselled gold-plated fittings from circa 1760 for at least €9,500.

Fine and deadly: the near-mint Mauser C 96 Small Hammer pistol

Then there is a pair of cased target pistols made by Devisme in Paris in about 1850, at a starting price of €8,800; to a fantastic wheel-lock puffer with a carved walnut stock, Brunswick or Dresden around 1570/80, for at least €12,500.

Remarkable is also a pair of first-class miquelet flintlock pistols, lavishly decorated with engraved floral silver inlays and mascarons from the workshop of Pasquale Feo in Naples, 18th century, which can be won for at least €6,000.

Top items can also be found among the firearms with modern action: rarities such as a Mauser pistol C 96 from the 1896 preseries in almost mint condition with a starting price of €12,000 or a Bittner pistol M 1893, up for sale at €5,500.

Historical craft: a wheel-lock puffer pistol

This repeating pistol was constructed by the proprietor of the gun factory of the same name in Weipert/Bohemia, Gustav Bittner. Since the pistol wasn't an economic success it was only manufactured in small numbers and is therefore now exceedingly rare.

The antique firearms are actually part of the first section of Hermann Historica's auction series, taking place on October 24-25.

Recent and related articles

· Theodore Roosevelt antique firearm is for sale at Rock Island Auction | 17 October 2011

· Karsten Klingbeil's antique militaria collection could defeat all before it | 5 October 2011

· Antique arms, firearms and swords will be sold October 9 at Nadeau's | 27 September 2011

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Images: Hermann Historica