9th Sep, 2026 11:00
Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection
45
A VERY RARE INDIAN 50 BORE MATCH-LOCK PISTOL IN THE FORM OF A TORADAR, 18TH CENTURY, PROBABLY JAIPUR
with tapering two-stage barrel with rounded bands at the muzzle and forward of the breech, the latter retaining traces of gold overlay, and retained by a central band of leather thongs, the flared muzzle chiselled with repeated palmettes retaining traces gold overlay, block-shaped back-sight and chiselled pan (pivoting cover missing), figured three-quarter stock (old spilt and damage at the ramrod-entry), ebony block behind the breech incised with double lines, grooved along the top for sighting and pierced to accommodate the match-holder with quatrefoil piercings, line engraved steel mounts comprising plates on both sides, along the bottom and around the rear of the butt bordered by rows of small piercings and dots, trigger with star-shaped piercings, ebony butt-plate, curved tubular match-holder, sling loop, and later ramrod with turned horn tip, 15.7 cm barrel
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 59C
A related small matchlock, described as a child’s toy matchlock, is in the City Palace Museum, Jaipur (inv. no. NB6.2302). See Elgood 2015, pp.148-149 and 151, fig. 103.
Sold for £3,500
with tapering two-stage barrel with rounded bands at the muzzle and forward of the breech, the latter retaining traces of gold overlay, and retained by a central band of leather thongs, the flared muzzle chiselled with repeated palmettes retaining traces gold overlay, block-shaped back-sight and chiselled pan (pivoting cover missing), figured three-quarter stock (old spilt and damage at the ramrod-entry), ebony block behind the breech incised with double lines, grooved along the top for sighting and pierced to accommodate the match-holder with quatrefoil piercings, line engraved steel mounts comprising plates on both sides, along the bottom and around the rear of the butt bordered by rows of small piercings and dots, trigger with star-shaped piercings, ebony butt-plate, curved tubular match-holder, sling loop, and later ramrod with turned horn tip, 15.7 cm barrel
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 59C
A related small matchlock, described as a child’s toy matchlock, is in the City Palace Museum, Jaipur (inv. no. NB6.2302). See Elgood 2015, pp.148-149 and 151, fig. 103.
Auction: Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection, 9th Sep, 2026
Over a period of half a century, Philippe became one of the leading connoisseurs and independent scholars in the field of antique arms and armour from Europe, India and the Islamic world. Consulted by the world’s leading museums and collectors, Philippe possessed a remarkable eye for quality and rarity which is reflected in the objects offered in this sale.
His company was enjoyed at countless exhibitions and sales around the world, where he would greet colleagues with a hummed fanfare, invariably followed by a profound observation imbued with wit and scholarship in equal measure. Philippe belonged to a generation that truly mastered its subject, visiting every museum and attending as many auctions as he could while simultaneously assembling an important library.
A number of the pieces offered here were published in ‘Splendeur des Armes Orientales’, a landmark exhibition catalogue co-authored in collaboration with Howard Ricketts in 1988, and remains a standard reference today. Philippe wore his immense knowledge lightly, balancing academic rigour with good humour, listening generously to the opinions of colleagues, and invariably raising a smile.
Viewing
PUBLIC EXHIBITION:
Sunday 6th September June: 12pm - 4pm
Monday 7th September: 10am - 7pm (Drinks 6-7pm)
Tuesday 8th September: 10am - 5pm
CONTACT:
For further information please contact us | armsandarmour@olympiaauctions.com | + 44 (0) 20 7806 5541
