Engraved Spanish Dueling Pistol Pair W/ Accoutrements .44 Cal
SOLD FOR: $1,100
WOA#: WY240225JH006
Make: Contemporary
Model: Dueling/ Gentlemens Pistol
Serial Number: None
Year of Manufacture: Modern
Caliber: .44 Cal Black Powder
Action Type: Percussion muzzle loader.
Markings: This pistol is marked with engraving. There are no manufacturer markings on either pistol.
Barrel Length: 10”
Sights / Optics: These pistols have V-notch rear sights with thin dovetail blade front sights.
Stock Configuration & Condition: These pistols have ribbed walnut grips with wide bottoms capped with engraved stainless pommels. They have a brass housed wedge pin through the forend. One has small scuffs under the forend along with small pressure dents, the other has some small nicks in the back of the grip.. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate in Very Good condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: None
Type of Finish: Polished stainless.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is very sharp. There is some erosion in the bore and some stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: These muzzleloaders retain about 97% of their metal finish. The engravings are crisp. There is some wear in the actions. The pins are unmarred. The screw heads show moderate use. Overall, this pair rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: These come with a velvet lined wooden case, wooden mallet, cleaning equipment, a powder flask, a bullet cast, nipple removal tool, a spare nipple, a key to the box, and a wooden grease tub.
Our Assessment: Spanish dueling pistols, or “pistolas de duelo,” epitomize the elegance and deadly seriousness of the aristocratic dueling culture that thrived in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries. Crafted with meticulous precision by skilled artisans, typically in renowned Spanish gunmaking centers like Eibar or Toledo, these pistols were works of art as much as they were lethal weapons. Featuring long, smoothbore barrels and intricately engraved metalwork, including the lockplate and trigger guard, they exuded refinement and sophistication.
Chambered in substantial calibers like .50 or .54, and .44 Spanish dueling pistols were designed for lethality, ensuring that encounters on the dueling ground were decisive. The ritualized nature of dueling, governed by the code duello, prescribed strict rules and etiquette for engagement, with the choice of weapons, distance, and number of shots carefully regulated. Spanish dueling pistols, with their association with honor and social status, were the preferred instruments for these deadly contests, reflecting the gravity of the disputes being settled.
While dueling eventually fell out of favor due to changing societal attitudes and legal prohibitions, the legacy of Spanish dueling pistols endures. These exquisitely crafted firearms are highly prized by collectors and enthusiasts for their historical significance and artistry. Preserved in museums and private collections worldwide, they serve as tangible reminders of a bygone era of chivalry, honor, and personal integrity, capturing the essence of a time when settling matters of honor was a deadly serious affair. -R.E.
