Lot 1198

Exhibition Grade German Parlor Pistols by Adolph Frohn of Suhl

Previous image preload Next image preload

Exhibition Grade German Parlor Pistols by Adolph Frohn of Suhl

Estimate: $75,000 - $140,000

Starting Bid: $65,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Documented Magnificent Cased Pair of Highly Embellished Exhibition Grade German Parlor Pistols by Adolph Frohn of Suhl -A) Adolph Frohn Parlor Pistol Documented Magnificent Cased Pair of Highly Embellished Exhibition Grade German Parlor Pistols by Adolph Frohn of Suhl -A) Adolph Frohn Parlor Pistol This is a truly extraordinary pair of presentation cased, relief chiseled, engraved, and gold inlaid target pistols from Adolph Friedrich Theodor Frohn of Suhl. Frohn was a highly talented gunmaker specializing in match rifles and handguns and was an Honorary Marksman of the Privileged Shooting Guild in Suhl from 1873-1893. His shop is recorded as employing thirty workers. These exquisite and ornate museum quality pistols feature extensive gold and silver inlays on the barrels, frames, trigger guards, and back straps and intricate antique ivory inlays on the stocks and case. The inlay designs copy one of the most revered wheellock decorators of the early 17th century in Germany "the master of the animal head tendrils," and the extraordinary work on the stock and stunning engraving and gold inlays demonstrate embellishment on par with the best of the golden age German wheellock decorators. The great gunmakers of the late 19th and early 20th century produced exceptional "masterpieces" to exemplify their skill and talents, often taking many years to complete and drawing influence from the earlier masters' best work for the European aristocracy. These pistols were clearly Frohn's masterpieces and would have been intended as show pieces for exhibitions such as the various World's Fairs of the 1890s, which included the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 and the Antwerp International Exposition in 1894, and/or presentation to a highly influential figure. Compare them, for example, to the previous lot, which has similar classical embellishment and is inscribed with an "AS" monogram attributed to influential German General Alfred von Schlieffen. The embellishment of both the rifle and the pistols is similar to the work on an Immann Meffert shotgun engraved by Hugo Kolb of Suhl. These pistols have Flobert style rolling block actions with off-set hammers and breech levers that are recessed into the back straps, and single set triggers and are fitted with fluted barrels fitted with elevation adjustable rear sights and fixed front sights. The trigger guards have prominent finger spurs. The barrels have a highly polished blue finish decorated with delicate gold inlaid scrollwork and floral designs. The muzzle and breech are inlaid with two gold bands. The maker's name and address, "A. FROHN, SUHL, GERMANY," is inlaid in gold on the left side of each barrel. "Crown/B" and "crown/U" proofmarks are stamped on the right side of each breechblock. The top of the front sight dovetails and the top of the front sights have the same gold inlays as the barrels. The muzzles are engraved with floral designs on lined backgrounds. The frames, trigger guards, back straps, and breech levers are color casehardened. The sides of the receivers have gold inlaid classical figures, possibly representing Death and Sleep given the inverted torches, surrounded by gold and silver inlaid and engraved foliate designs on lined backgrounds. The gold and silver inlays are also present on the trigger guards, back straps, and breech levers. The sides of the breechblocks are polished bright, and the rear faces of the breechblocks are color casehardened and decorated with floral engraving. The hammers are gold plated and have engraved backs. The two-piece, wedge fastened, walnut stocks are covered with intricate and detailed inlays of flowing foliate designs ending in bestial masks. The case has contrasting walnut veneers with an inlaid centerpiece and inlaid ebony edges. The fitted interior is lined with green velvet and has ten compartments, including three with brass lids in addition to the fitted spaces for the two pistols. The case contains the following nickel plated accessories: a cleaning rod, powder measure, case resizer, de-capping tool, a single cavity bullet mold, and a capping tool. They are featured in the Winter 2004/2005, Volume 7 Number 4, issue of "Der Waffenschmied: the Journal of the German Gun Collectors Association" which includes an article on the pistols and a 2 page spread with color photography (copy included). These pistols are a magnificent example of the finest of all German gunmaker's art.

Manufacturer: German

Model: Parlor Pistol

BBL: 11 1/2 inch octagon

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 8 mm

Finish: blue/gold

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Antique

B) Adolph Frohn Parlor Pistol As described in "A".

Manufacturer: German

Model: Parlor Pistol

BBL: 11 1/2 inch octagon

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 8 mm

Finish: blue

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Antique

  • Condition: A) Excellent overall. The pistol retains 98% of the original high polish blue finish and delicate case colors with only very minor storage wear. The flawlessly executed engraving is deep and crisp. The gold and silver inlays remain in perfect condition. The stock and intricate inlays are excellent and exhibit only very minor handling and storage wear. Mechanically excellent. B) Excellent overall. Nearly 98% of the original high polish blue finish and delicate case colors remain and show only slight storage wear. The engraving and inlays are in excellent, near perfect condition. The stock and intricate inlays are also in excellent condition and display only very minor handling and storage wear. Mechanically excellent. The case exterior is also excellent with only minor handling marks. The green velvet interior is very fine with bright fabric. There is only some scattered and very minor tears in the edges of the pistol compartments cause by contact with trigger and hammer spurs and front sights and minor compression marks in the lining of the lid. This magnificent pair of cased Adolph Frohn relief engraved and inlaid parlor pistols are paramount in European craftsmanship. Rock Island Auction Company is pleased to offer this extraordinary pair of pistols. The set is the finest of their type known and are truly Frohn masterpieces.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Rock Island Auction will contact you shortly after the auction has completed. We will arrange for shipping and or pickup.

Rock Island Auction Company

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000