Cased Matched Pair C.S. Rausch .50 Cal Percussion Target/Dueling Pistols, 7 in Octagonal Damascus Barrels, Gold-Inlaid, Mid-19th Century Germany
Rare, cased matched pair made in Brunswick, Germany by Master Gunsmith Christian Sigmund Rausch in the mid-1800s. These full-size .50 caliber single-shot percussion pistols feature heavy octagonal Damascus barrels, factory scroll engraving with gold accents, and a gold-inlaid maker's inscription. The set remains in excellent condition and retains a fitted presentation case with accessories, plus documented German and Liège proof marks that trace their 19th-century history and later German reproof.
Condition
Overall Condition: Excellent condition, showing only faint signs of any prior use or handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The highly figured walnut stocks show minor handling wear, but the wood retains its original luster. The metal lockplates are crisply engraved steel with small gilt highlights and a greyed/polished finish.
What's Included
- Case: Original fitted wooden presentation case with green baize interior
- Powder Flask: Rectangular wood-and-brass powder flask/charger
- Bullet Mold: Bullet mold
- Loading Tool: Wood-handled ball starter
- Percussion Caps: Round cap tin(s) shown in case
Made in Brunswick, Germany by Master Gunsmith Christian Sigmund Rausch, this cased matched pair dates to the mid 19th century. Each pistol is a full-size .50 caliber single-shot percussion muzzleloader built for precision target or dueling use, with external dolphin-form hammers highlighted by gilt eyes.
The 7-inch heavy octagonal Damascus barrels have multi-groove rifling and fixed iron sights, with a dovetailed front blade and a rear notch at the breech/tang. The barrels display a striking Damascus pattern, while the furniture is engraved steel. Stocks are highly figured walnut with wrap-around fine checkering and white-metal wedge escutcheons.
Factory scroll engraving is extensive throughout, accented with gold details. The maker's inscription "C. S. Rausch" is inlaid in gold, and the trigger-guard bows bear an engraved armorial device, complemented by geometric/armorial butt inlays. The overall presentation is consistent with high-grade German craftsmanship of the era.
Proofs and stamps include Crown over R, Crown over G, Crown over U, the numeral 44, and the ELG-in-oval Liège mark. The ELG inside an oval indicates the Damascus barrels were imported into Belgium. The Crown over R denotes the pistols were sent for repair or change of ownership after April 1, 1893, under the German Proof Law. Crown over G signifies rifled barrels, and Crown over U indicates a thorough visual inspection after high-pressure proof. Together, these marks show the pair passed every stage of late 19th-century German safety testing and document a later German reproof history.