Fall 2023 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
November 3rd, 4th, 5th, & 6th, 2023
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!
EXCEPTIONALLY FINE REVOLUTIONARY WAR ERA SILVER MOUNTED HOLSTER PISTOL BY JOHN REA
01-23350
Cal. approx. 55
NSN
Bbl. 9 1/8”
The rare cannon style round paktong barrel is embellished with several sets of rings and becomes octagonal about 2” from the breech. Paktong is a metal resembling silver that was created in China. It is made up of a combination of zinc, copper & nickel and was often referred to in the period as white copper.
The beginning of the octagonal section shows 4 engraved circles at each corner. The top facet is engraved “I * REA LONDON” with shell flourishes on each end of the cartouche. John Rea Sr. was active from 1777 to 1812 and marked his guns “I REA” from 1777 to 1801. The left facet has 2 oval proofs with 2 heavily stamped “IR” marks. The iron lock is engraved with several flourishes including a ribbon that reads “I + REA”.
The serpentine cock has lineal decoration at the edges as does the frizzen. Pan is of standard open design. The intricate & beautiful silver mountings were done by Charles Freeth in 1779 or 1780 as indicated by the Birmingham date letter “G” in a shield. The trigger guard & buttcap have multiple proof marks. The trigger guard has a beautifully engraved & highlighted floral motif, and the buttcap has a grotesque mask at its base. There is a floral highlighted escutcheon at the wrist with silver wire inlay to the rear of the side plate, lock plate, barrel tang, and on the sides of the barrel tang. The delicately executed side plate has a mixture of flourishes & foliate motifs. The barrel pin escutcheons also bear engraved decoration. The ramrod thimble & entry thimble, again, are solid silver. The stock has a pleasing patina with nice graining. The certifiably antique ivory tipped wooden ramrod has a brass end.
