This pair of pistols has elaborate engraving at the muzzle and breech ends and tops of the barrels and on nearly all of the remaining surfaces. The barrels are swamped, rifled, marked "LePage Mourtier arqer du Roi" among the engraving on top, have post front sights, and have "D'attends" under a coat of arms at the breech. "LePage Mourtier" is marked on the left locks, and "arqer du roi" is on the right. The engraving patterns are mostly deeply cut floral designs but there are also mythical beasts including dragons. The bottom of gun A is numbered "3" at the breech on the barrel and breech plug, and gun B is numbered "4." The grips have a high polish finish and engraved pommel caps. The pistols are designed to be loaded with two complete charges of ball and powder. Then the hammers are cocked and the first pull of the single trigger drops the right hammer igniting the front load, and the second pull of the trigger drops the left hammer firing the second. Using a tightly patched round ball creates a gas seal between the two loads theoretically preventing accidental double ignition. This system is similar to that used by American gunmaker Lindsay for the Model 1863 rifle-muskets. They were manufactured between 1842 when Louis Moutier married the daughter of Louis Didier Fauré, and 1865. The pair comes in a modern hardwood display case. The LePage family is well-known for being among the finest gunmakers in French history. They might justly be considered second only to Nicolas-Noël Boutet of Versailles and were certainly the premier gunmakers in France during most of the percussion era. From 1717 until 1913 the LePage family and various partnerships provided high end firearms to the nobility, royal courts, revolutionaries, officers, and gentlemen.
Very fine. The barrel retains 85% plus of the original brown finish with very attractive Damascus patterns, mild edge wear, and some minor marks. The other components are an even French gray. The engraving and markings throughout are extremely crisp and clear. The grip is also very fine and has some minor dings and pressure marks and nearly all of the original high polish finish. The locks function fine.
As discussed in A.
Very fine. The barrel retains 85% plus of the original brown finish and only has a few minor marks and some light edge wear. The Damascus patterns are clear. The other areas have an even gray and the engraving is incredibly crisp and clear throughout. The grip is also very fine with strong original polish finish and some minor dings and scratches. The locks function excellently. The custom case is very good and has only minor storage wear.
There are currently no customer product questions on this lot