Lot 2280
A rare pair of air pistols, designed to resemble a flintlock, Friedrich Jacob Bosler of Darmstadt, circa 1740/50
Fine Antique and Modern Firearms | A89s | Live auction | 1043 Lots
Hammer price € 16,000
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Octagonal, then round, seven-groove rifled bores in 9.5 mm calibre. The signature "J.F. Bosler à Darmstadt" engraved on the top of the barrels, the roots of the barrels engraved with scrolling bands and rocaille ornaments. Delicately engraved flintlocks with indicated vent holes. The lock plates with a depiction of Diana in a chariot drawn by stags. The finely carved full stocks made of walnut, with dark horn noses. The butts with interior pressure containers are removable. The brass furniture finely engraved. Wooden ramrods with horn tips. Length 49.5 cm each.Friedrich Jacob Bosler (1717-93) became a master craftsman in circa 1746 and later court gunsmith of the Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt. A very similar pair of air pistols, commissioned for Landgrave Louis VIII, can still be found in the collection at Jagdschloss Kranichstein.
Includes the original air pump with the collection number attached and an adapter made by Keith Neal to allow modern compressed-air cartridges to be used.
Provenance: Illustrated in F. Theodore Dexter, "Forty-Two Years Scrapbook of Rare Ancient Fire Arms".
Ex Coll. Keith Neal, Bonhams Auction 13738, lot 61.
Condition: II + Questions about the lot?
