Lot 49 | Wilhelm Maximilian Hanau | PAIR OF EXQUISITE IRON PERCUSSION PISTOLS IN BOX WITH MONOGRAM OF PRINCE HEINRICH LXXII OF PRUSSIA

PAIR OF EXQUISITE IRON PERCUSSION PISTOLS IN BOX WITH MONOGRAM OF PRINCE HEINRICH LXXII OF PRUSSIA.

Hanau, Wilhelm Maximilian. Gera.

Date: Fürstlich Lobenstein-Ebersdorfer Hofbüchsenmacher. ca. 1840.
Technique: Iron, welded steel, carved walnut among others.
Description: Octagonal, rifled barrels of rose Damascus with dovetailed front sights. Barrel base,
percussion locks and iron trim engraved with foliate scrolls and inlaid with gold. The
cock with gilt veneer leaf ornamentation. Walnut half stocks, the noses with animal-like
mascarons, the butts with fine chequering and tendrils. On top of the barrel the signature
"W. Hanau in Gera" inlaid in gold. On the escutcheons the '1' and '2' respectively inlaid
in gold in a horizontal oval. Owner's monogram 'RLXXII' under a crown on the lid. The
velvet-lined case with a wide range of accessories such as ball tongs and cleaning rod,
and powder bottle, among others.
Measurement: Box: 8x35x40,5cm/ Pistols each length 35,5cm.


Provenance:
German private collection, formerly in the owndership of Prince Heinrich LXXII of Prussia.

This exquisitely crafted pair of pistols with percussion lock originates from the workshop of Wilhelm Maximilian Hanau from Gera, who held the title of court gunsmith to the princely House of Reuss. The owner, as can be deduced from the monogram on both pieces, was Heinrich LXXII of Prussia, Prince Reuß of Ebersdorf from 1822-24 and Prince Reuß of Lobenstein and Ebersdorf from 1824-48. He is considered the inventor of the word 'principle rider'.