#Napoleons #pistols #set #bidding #battle #Antique #Collecting
A pair of pistols that were presented by Emperor Napoleon, just six weeks after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, are estimated to fetch up to £14,000 in Thomas Del Mar’s sale of Fine Antique Arms, Armour & Militaria on December 4, at Olympia Auctions in London.
Made by Boutet of Versailles (Paris), the French Officer’s pistols bear the marks for 1798-1809 and were presented to Captain Marshall on board H.M.S Bellerophon on August 6, 1815.
As expert and auctioneer, Thomas Del Mar explained: “Napoleon’s arrival on the Bellerophon is recorded in the log for the ship dated 15 July 1815. While in custody Napoleon and his entourage were treated like guests, with the former emperor given access to the Great cabin of the ship. Napoleon wanted to travel to North America, where he hoped to gain asylum; upon refusal of this by the British, he hoped to be allowed to live out his life in England which was also refused.
He was held aboard the moored Bellerophon at Plymouth and not allowed to set foot on British soil, much to his annoyance. Over the following weeks, the British government considered the fate of the ship’s famous prisoner. Eventually a decision was made to designate Napoleon and his entourage as ‘Prisoners of War’, with the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic chosen as their place of exile.”
The sale will include part of the Collection of the late Charles Somers Cocks, 3rd Earl Somers (1819-83), which is being sold by his descendants. A rare Austrian pavise (wooden shield) from the second half of the 15th century is estimated to fetch £25,000-30,000.
As Mr Del Mar adds: “An inventory of the town of Klausen from the end of the 15th century, which no longer exists, records a number (either fifteen or fifty) large shields and eighteen small shields. The shields are decorated with three variations of the arms shown on the present shield.”
Also from the same collection are several important Italian items: a fine and important North Italian engraved three-quarter cuirassier armour dating from circa 1620-30 which carries an estimate of £25,000-35,000 and a fine and well-matched composite North Italian three-quarter armour with etched decoration, dating from circa 1590, is expected to fetch £20,000-30,000. A fine and very rare Italian shortsword, also known as a cinquedea, which dates from circa 1500 and is estimated at £30,000-40,000. Funds raised will mostly be used towards securing and preserving the rest of the collection, but some will be held in reserve to pay future taxes.
The sale also includes Part I of the Robert E. Brooker JR. Collection of Rare Antique Arms and Armour. Mr Brooker started collecting firearms when he was 17 in 1954, and a rare 20-bore North German wheel-lock ‘puffer’ pistol dating from 1590 and probably originating from Brunswick is estimated at £8,000-10,000.
From an Important English Private Collection is a very fine medieval sword, circa 1420-60 which is estimated at £12,000-18,000.
As Mr Del Mar explained: “This very well formed and remarkably well preserved sword has been described as ‘one of the finest and…..the most handsome’ (Oakeshott 1984, op.cit.) found near the site of the last battle of the 100 Years War which was fought near Castillon in Gascony in 1453, the battle was won decisively by the French, who used cannon for the first time with devastating effect against the English.”
The sale also includes Part II of Bill Terry Archery Collection and Part V of the Roy Elvis Collection of Indian Arms & Armour.
