Spring 2026 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
February 26th, February 27th, February 28th, and March 1st, 2026
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!
CLARK GABLE’S SILVER MOUNTED DUELLING PISTOLS BY RANSFORD CONVERTED TO PERCUSSION WITH CASE
01-27645 | Cal. 70. | S# NSN.
These classy pistols were probably made by Michael Ransford of Dublin, Ireland around 1750. They have 9″ swamped faceted to round barrels without any discernible markings. They were converted to percussion with the addition of a breech plug filed with integral bolster for nipple. Locks with slightly arched rounded plates having raised bead borders are engraved “RANSFORD” at centers (Michael working in Dublin 1739-1757, who was succeed by his son James). Unengraved flat faced percussion hammers are fitted. European walnut stocks with knob grips extend to muzzles without caps and are pinned to barrels. They are carved with mouldings around locks and barrel tangs which terminate in shells. Mouldings around ramrod channels terminate in beautifully carved flowing acanthus. Silver mounts are not hallmarked as is typical for early Irish silver. Mounts are relief cast and have some engraving. Knob butt caps with side spurs have grotesque faces at bottoms and are engraved with bows and arrows on sides. Trigger guards have early type acanthus finials and blossoms on bows. Sideplates have grotesque faces which are breathing acanthus scrolls. Crest plates at tops of grips have grotesque faces and are engraved with family crest of man’s torso holding halberd and scepter. Ramrods with horn tips (one with worm tail) mount through matching cast pipes and silver thimbles. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Letter from Mrs. Kathleen Gable with a brief history of these pistols and certifying that they did belong to Clark Gable. Clark Gable memorabilia including paperwork, advertising and photos. Guns are housed in cutlery type case made of burl walnut veneer with unmarked silver colored plate in lid. Bottom configured to hold pistols contains small cooper bodied powder flask by Hawksley and nutcracker type ball mould “No 12” by William Davis. Two covered compartments hold tins of percussion caps and lead balls. PROVENANCE: The Esteemed Norm Greenberg Collection. STATUS: ANTIQUE.
