So, this new guy at work comes up to me, and asks me, "hey, I hear you like guns." He then says, why don't you come over to my house to see some old guns my Dad gave me and tell me what they are.

So... I go over there, for the free food, fully expecting for him to pull out an H&R Topper and he pulls out a couple really fine percussion duelling pistols that he has stored in a couple of towels. They are really nice, with a deep blue barrel with what looks like Whitworth or something similar rifling, Silver, highly engraved metal-work, with apparently handmade, engraved screws, a very intricately carved butt-cap on the grips, and the wood engraving is out of this world. All the bluing is there, with only a couple of spots where very light rust has started.

The pistols are marked "1" and "2", with "R. P. Pope" carved very lightly on the wood of "1" only, and a badge on each pistol behind the number (which is on the top of the chamber, in highly engraved silver obtw) with the stylized letters "L. F." on top of a small rampant lion. On the left side of each barrel there is an oval with an "E." atop an "L. G." and that is atop a small, five pointed star.

The entire pistols are extremely ornate, and the guy claims they have been in the family for generations. Anyone have some ideas as to where they came from and what they might be worth? I'm trying to get the guy to protect them a little better than he is. Can't stand to see nice guns like this stored in a tote in towels.

Thanks.

To figure out what you have and what they are worth, you will really need to do some homework. This is not that place but you might start at http://www.americanlongrifles.com/american-longrifles-BBS-frame.htm and go from there.

Since I have no clue where the hell you park your tank, I can't tell you of any place that might be local to you. But chances are, there will be someone who can help you if you give them enough information. 90% of the gunshops in most areas, will, however, be worse than useless in that regard.

Brent

The oval with the E,L,G star is a mark indicating it's made in Liege, Belgium. Store them better so they don't loose value fron rust.

Thanks for the help, guys. I'm trying to influence the guy to store them better, but some people

Sweet!

But they are missing ramrods - possibly rosewood or ebony, and fitted case with accoutrements.

Dang nice nonetheless. I would love to have them.

Brent

these are probably not duelers but a pair of target pistols.these were usually cased with all their accouterements in the style of duelers.probably didnt have their own ramrods if there are no ferrules under the bbls,it was in the casealong with mould,powder flask, nipple wrench,flashhole pick,cap jaretc.all of high quality&finish.usually named up on bbl.flatsnot in wood only on 1 gun.cant tell from pics,are there adjustable rear notch sights/that would cinch target pistols.are the lock plates buffed?too bad the "stuff" got lost.Kim

Kim,

They have "fixed" sights, though the front sight is drift-adjustable. When I started this, I didn't know much about duelers, so now I think these are a "gentleman's" pair of pistols.

I have learned a bunch in the last two days: Lots of times the Liege, Belgium pistols weren't named as to maker: both the wood R.P. Pope, and the initials over the rampant lion were names of owners.

As to the lock plates, they are "plated" with German silver and extraordinarily ornate. What is neat about them, is that the aft ends of the lock plates are contoured to match the woodwork.

PG,you are probably right good books on duelers-LONDON GUNMAKERS&THE ENGLISH DUELLING PISTOL1770-1830by keith dill&THE BRITISH DUELLING PISTOLby atkinson.maybe more than you care about,but classic duellers were the best made of their time.owners life/honour depended on them.BEST,kim