Engraved Pair of W. Child Back Action Percussion Belt Pistols with Accessories and Case Inscribed for C.H. Lapidge, Esquire -A) W. Child Pistol Engraved Pair of W. Child Back Action Percussion Belt Pistols with Accessories and Case Inscribed for C.H. Lapidge, Esquire -A) W. Child Pistol The plaque on the top of the lid is inscribed with "C.H. Lapidge, Esq" in period jeweler style script and later had "Capt" inscribed in different script above. A Charles Horace Lapidge was promoted to lieutenant on the HMS Scout in 1824. He then served on the HMS Lily, HMS Stag, and was appointed as the commanding officer of the 10-gun HMS Pantaloon in 1841 on which he served until 1844. He is listed as a retired commander in 1860. He created tension between the British and their Portuguese allies after he captured and claimed the Island of Bolama, a Portuguese claim, in the name of the British, removed the Portuguese flag, and hoisted the Union jack. The Pantaloon had just run a slave ship ashore a few days earlier on another of the nearby Bissagos Islands. The British has abandoned the Bolama after previous colonization attempts in 1794 and 1814, and the Portuguese claimed it in 1830. The controversy over the island was not resolved until 1870 when President Ulysses S. Grant, as part of a commission, awarded the island to Portugal. Lapidge and the crew of the Pantaloon were serving in the British Preventative Squadron tasked with suppressing the slave trade. The ship was used to track down slave ships off the African coast. The pistols have "W. CHILD" on the locks, "- -W. CHILD. 280. STRAND. LONDON- -" on top of the barrels, London proofmarks on the bottom of the barrels, platinum banded and lined breech plugs, scroll engraving, and silver thumb plates. The case also contains a small powder flask, bullet mold, caps, and some lead balls. William Child was active in the London gun trade around 1820-1850 and is mostly known for his pistols. Manufacturer: English Model: Percussion BBL: 4 1/8 inch octagon Stock: walnut Gauge: 50 Finish: brown/casehardened/blue Grips: Serial Number: NSN Class: Antique Condition: Fine overall with 30% plus of the original blue finish on the trigger guard, faint case colors and brown patina on the lock, faded brown finish and patina along the barrel which displays attractive Damascus patterns, and aged patina on the silver. The fine stock has crisp checkering and numerous light dings and scratches. B) W. Child Pistol See A. Manufacturer: English Model: Percussion BBL: 4 1/8 inch octagon Stock: walnut Gauge: 50 percussion Finish: brown/casehardened/blue Grips: Serial Number: NSN Class: Antique Condition: Fine overall with 30% plus original blue finish on the trigger guard, 25% plus of the fading original case colors along with brown patina, light Damascus patterns, gray and brown patina, and minor spotting on the barrel, and aged patina on the silver. The fine stock has crisp checkering and general minor marks and scratches. The relined case and accessories are very good and have mild storage wear including some cracking at the bottom of the case.

  • Condition: See Description

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by Rock Island Auction Company
September 10, 2017 9:00 AM CDT
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, IL, US 61201

Rock Island Auction Company

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