Lot Essay
Acquired in the Rue des Saints Pères, Paris, in 1938
Details
A PAIR OF FRENCH SILVER-MOUNTED FLINTLOCK POCKET PISTOLS
ST. ETIENNE, CIRCA 1740-50
With two-stage barrels each moulded at the muzzle and with a tapering top flat, retaining traces of punched and gilt decoration, and with barrelsmith's name 'Gillier Tissot' stamped on the underside, flat border engraved bevelled locks each with engraved cock and tail, and inscribed 'Je suis Fidel', on the inside a small stamped fleur-de-lys mark and the initials IT (Neue Støckel 3637), moulded walnut full stocks each carved with a floral spray behind the barrel tang, and full silver mounts engraved with rococo ornament and including spurred pommels with Classical head caps of differing design (one fore-end tip damaged, the other replaced, one ramrod incomplete, the other later)
7in. (17.7cm.) (2)
ST. ETIENNE, CIRCA 1740-50
With two-stage barrels each moulded at the muzzle and with a tapering top flat, retaining traces of punched and gilt decoration, and with barrelsmith's name 'Gillier Tissot' stamped on the underside, flat border engraved bevelled locks each with engraved cock and tail, and inscribed 'Je suis Fidel', on the inside a small stamped fleur-de-lys mark and the initials IT (Neue Støckel 3637), moulded walnut full stocks each carved with a floral spray behind the barrel tang, and full silver mounts engraved with rococo ornament and including spurred pommels with Classical head caps of differing design (one fore-end tip damaged, the other replaced, one ramrod incomplete, the other later)
7in. (17.7cm.) (2)