Horst Held   =   Antique Handguns

  e-mail   held@ectisp.net
phone  972-775-8704           fax  972-775-3553
541 Lynnie Pennie Lane              Midlothian, Texas 76065

to homepage

 

back to dueling pistols

 

Van Wart Son Co.
mentioned in William Albaugh's book Confederate Handguns as maker of derringer-type pistol with the retailer's name  L. J. E. Bearden, Galveston, Texas. On the internet listed as button maker or importer for the Confederacy "1863 + 1864 New Orleans". Not listed in Stĝckel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a great pair of English dueling pistols, cal. .55 percussion, smooth bore,
9" octagonal Damascus barrel with dovetail front-sight and "London" inscribed, two golden bands at the breech. A heavy lug under barrel for good aiming. Lock, hammer and trigger guard nicely engraved, platinum vent, push safety behind the hammer. The flared grip with fine checkering. The escutcheon is not marked.
An uncommon and certainly rare pair.