Must-have Original Belgian Silver Mounted Double Barrel 14 Bore French Style Percussion Pistol - Circa 1840 Flash Sale: 85% Off [u0QHTZdN]

Original Item. Only One Available. This is a lovely Belgian percussion pistol, made very much in the French "Versailles" style, with a flat bottom flared grip, and some lovely engraved silver appointments. This style was developed by famed gunsmith Nicolas-Noël Boutet, and they were very popular during the Napoleonic Period with French officers. Even after the wars were over, the style remained very popular.

This example does not have any visible markings on the top of the barrels or lock plates, however the bottom of the barrel assembly bears the E / L G / * in an Oval proof, indicating manufacture in Liège, Belgium. This small country, which only gained independence in the early 19th century, had long been a firearms production powerhouse, with Liège being the center of manufacturing. There are also some single letter proofs and other markings used by the Belgian proofhouse.

The pistol measures approximately 15 3/8 inches in overall length, and features 8 5/8 inch long double barrels, which have very large 0.69" diameter, considered "14 Bore". These originally had a lovely faux Damascus milled texture, which possibly was etched onto the barrel. Unfortunately due to wear, this can now really only be seen on the bottom of the barrels. The pistol has lovely silver mounts, which bear some great foliate engraving, and really add to the look of the pistol. The back action locks also has foliate engraving, and are made very much in the French style. We checked the functionality, both locks hold correctly at half cock, firing only at full.

The walnut stock is checkered around the wrist and comes complete with a steel tipped ramrod, which is probably a period replacement. It is carved around the exterior of the butt with some great designs. The butt cap is highly decorative, and has a small compartment for spare patches that opens easily. There is also a small oval silver escutcheon on the back of the wrist, which is not marked. The stock does have past damage on the fore stock area, which looks to have completely cracked almost completely through at some point. There is now a wood graft repair, which was not quite executed right, so it did not hold. Definitely a good candidate for further work, though it will display just fine as is.

A lovely example of an early mid 19th century Belgian double barrel big bore percussion pistol, ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1840
Caliber: 14 Bore - about 0.69"
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 8 5/8 inches
Overall Length: 15 3/8 inches
Action: Percussion Back Action Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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