This intimidating and beautiful weapon was designed by Joseph-Celestin Dumouthier in Paris in the mid-19th century. His surname is regularly seen spelled both as Dumouthier and Dumonthier in period sources and modern works. He was active from 1840 to around 1900 and is listed in period sources as originally from Houdan in northern France. Bladed pistols had, by that time, already been manufactured for multiple centuries in Europe for use as hunting sidearms used to finish off wounded boars and other game. Some of these fascinating weapons are known to have been given to world leaders, including Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico (in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago). The blade is marked "DUMONTIER & MARTIN/194 R. ST. MARTIN/PARIS." under another line that includes "BTE." This version has a separate trigger for each hammer. The horn grips are spiral patterned. The blade is 12 1/4 inches long. Sheath is absent.

Very fine overall. The exceptional blade remains almost entirely bright and has minimal wear. The barrels retain 75% plus of the bright original nitre blue finish. There are traces of original case colors on the action/hilt components. The left grip panel has a minor crack; otherwise, the fine grips have only light wear. Mechanically excellent.