A pair of cased Napoleonic duelling pistols estimated at £10,000-14,000 ($15,719-22,003) are to auction in the UK on June 26.
 The rare cased pistols previously belonged to a distinguished British naval captain |
Among the star lots of Thomas Del Mar's Antique Arms, Armour and Militaria sale, which is to be staged in London in association with Sotheby's, the circa 1785 pistols were created by eminent London arms maker John Twigg, and previously owned by British naval captain Jeremiah Coghlan (1775-1844).
Coghlan's distinguished military career was punctuated by the Napoleonic wars (1803-1815), which occurred as a result of the French revolution (1789).
His most noteworthy achievement occurred in June 1800. Moored in the French-controlled harbour of Port Louis, Mauritius, Coghlan ordered 18 men and a midshipman aboard a diminutive 10-oared cutter.
After a hard-fought battle, Coghlan's crew succeeded in capturing the French gun-brig Cerbere.
Seriously wounded and under French fire, Coghlan steered the Gallic gunship out of the harbour.
For his daring actions, he was awarded the high honour of a 100 guineas sword - a compliment to his bravery, leadership and skill.
Items associated with the Napoleonic wars, and, in particular, Napoleon himself, generally prove very popular at auction.
A diamond and sapphire engagement ring given by Napoleon to Josephine auctioned for $1.2m in March 2013. A rare cast of the French military leader's death mask is to cross the block at Bonhams later this week.
We have a range of militaria in stock, including this lock of Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson's hair, offered inside a beautiful antique presentation box.
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