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Exceptional Cased Pair of French Percussion Target Pistols by Devisme

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:7,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Exceptional Cased Pair of French Percussion Target Pistols by Devisme
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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2024 Nov 23 @ 09:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
serial #19152, .46 cal, 10” octagon barrels with bright near excellent bores showing a little fine old oxidation and otherwise crisp rifling throughout. As expected from Devisme, this is a wonderful set of pistols, the barrels retaining about 97-98% original rich bright blue showing just a few scattered tiny areas of speckled loss or flaking that is unobtrusive. The barrels are crisply engraved in fancy script with Devisme Paris address and the breech flats also show owner’s initials in script “A D”. All of the remaining hardware is an attractive medium French gray showing just a few small areas of lightly cleaned old oxidation staining mostly along the frontstraps and buttcaps, the swirling bolsters with a bit of old pinprick pitting that is relatively minor. The lockplates, tangs, spur triggerguard and other small parts are wonderfully embellished in near full coverage with finely detailed flowing foliate motifs and stippled background shading. The breech plugs are numbered “1” and “2” respectively. The stocks are magnificent French walnut finely checkered and with superb foliate carving matching the metal embellishments all remaining crisp and detailed throughout. The edge of the toe on each pistol is stamped with Devisme’s serial number, in this case matching on both guns. The only apology regarding the stocks is a crack on each at the edge above the left wedge escutcheons, otherwise they remain in excellent condition showing lovely grain figure with some areas of attractive burl and small knots. The hammer screws are slightly different styles on both pistols, both otherwise appearing to be of antique construction. The lock on pistol two is not particularly crisp but both are functional and the pistols are equipped with traditional non-set triggers and nice fire-blued sights consisting of u-notch rears and oval bead front sights. The pistols come in their original rosewood veneer case that remains in very fine condition with some mild dings and scuffs along the exterior, the lid slightly warped. There is an ivory lock escutcheon and brass monogram shield along the lid with fancy monogram of “AD”. The case is of course French-fitted for the guns and all of their accessories, lined in purple velvet which exhibits some moderate fading from the years, the protected areas still brilliant rich purple. The inside lid shows gold-embossed Devisme address and the case features two lidded compartments and the lovely complete set of accessories includes: brass-tipped rosewood ramrods, small pewter oiler, single cavity round ball mould, brass dipper, pair of fine rosewood containers and finally a set of three lovely tools including an ivory-handled nipple wrench, turnscrew and a wonderful mallet. A beautiful and complete set of pistols from one of Paris’s finest makers. (13D11519-6) {ANTIQUE} (10,000/15,000)