Item Description
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
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
- This product is available for international shipping.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
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