Pair of Austrian Percussion Target Pistols by Mathias Nowotny in Wien

.45 caliber. 9.5" wedge retained octagonal barrels. NSN. Bright Damascus patterned barrels, iron furniture, checkered and raised carved European hardwood stocks. Single shot percussion muzzleloading target pistols with platinum blow out plugs, elevation adjustable rear sights, dovetailed front sights, adjustable single-set triggers and spur trigger guards. Barrels with complex Damascus patterning, gold bands at breeches and inlaid in gold on the top flats MATHIAS NOWONTNY IN WIEN. The pistols are numbered "1" and "2" on the barrels and the tangs. Deeply engraved back action percussion locks with tightly flowing foliate scrolls and spread-winged eagles sitting on a banner that reads NOWONTY. Stocks with checkered grips and featuring raised carved butts and forend tips. Matthias Nowotny worked circa 1825-1856, initially in Leitmeritz, Bohemia (Czech Republic) and then in Vienna, Austria after moving there in 1838. He was a gun maker to the Royal Court of Austria and made high end presentation guns for the nobility and ranking members of the Austrian army. Nowotny had business relations with Johann Springer, and after Nowotny committed suicide in 1856, his wife sold the business to Springer and Springer married Nowotny's sister. (Stockel) {ANTIQUE}

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