Details
A FINE 22-BORE FRENCH SILVER-MOUNTED FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOL
BY FELIX A PARIS, EARLY 18TH CENTURY
With tapering barrel (originally blued) damascened in gold with scrolling foliage at the breech and around the silver fore-sight, and with triple gold lines at the muzzle, and double gold lines at the breech, struck with barrelsmith's mark of Jean Leclerc on the underside, and signed in gold on the sighting flat, gilt touch-hole, blued tang damascened with gold foliage, signed border engraved flat bevelled lock decorated with the seated figure of Mars, and a martial trophy on the stepped tail, figured walnut full stock carved with foliage in low relief behind the barrel tang and rear ramrod-pipe, full cast and chased mounts all decorated in relief against a gilt stippled ground, including pierced side-plate involving a stag pursued by a hound, an oval portrait medallion supported by stylised dolphins, crowned trophy of arms escutcheon engraved with the crest and motto of the Earls of Shrewsbury, and spurred pommel decorated with strapwork, foliage and sporting trophies suspended from grotesque masks, the cap in the form of portrait bust, engraved and gilt ramrod-pipes, and later iron-capped horn-tipped ramrod (some wear overall)
18in. (45.7cm.)
