Original Item. Only One Available. This is a lovely Belgian-made Officer's Pistol, made very much in the high end French style of the day, known as the "Versailles" style. Designed by famed gunsmith Nicolas-Noël Boutet, this pattern pistols were very popular and extensively made for French Officers. This example was made in Liège, Belgium, a gunmaking center even today, which had been under French and then Dutch control until the early 1830s. It has an octagonal 9 1/2 inch long barrel with a lovely taper that narrows just a bit towards the middle, which has a rifled bore of about 0.55". This was very typical for the style, and we have seen several examples with this same shape on the barrel, which is very attractive.

The overall length is 16 inches, and the pistol features a lovely carved stock with all iron mountings. These all feature beautiful engraved designs, which are still retained in spite of light oxidation to the surface. The lock also has a beautiful "Dolphin" or "Fish" engraved percussion hammer, which is extremely well executed. There is an oval panel on the lock plate which looks like it was intended for a maker or retailer name to be added, but it is blank. There is a number 9 on the top of the barrel, and the left side of the barrel by the breech bears an E / L G / * in an Oval proof, indicating manufacture in Liège, Belgium. We also removed the barrel, and it is marked with MB and HL, probably maker or inspector markings.

We are not quite sure why, but the pistol is fitted with a "set trigger", usually only seen on hunting or sharpshooter long rifles. In this case it is a 'single' type, where the trigger is "set" by pushing it forward, after which the hammer can be moved to cocked position. It will then fire when the trigger is just touched lightly, which discharges the weapon, hopefully with great accuracy. The lock can still fire without the trigger being set, and it does not have a half-cock position, just a full cocked position.

The walnut stock is checkered around the wrist and terminates in a lovely wide flared butt of the Versailles style, which has some fantastic engraved designs on the edge. The back and sides of the grip are decoratively checkered, and there also is a fantastic carved in nose cap on the front of the stock. There is some lovely figuring on at the bottom of the grip as well. We did notice that there is some wood missing along the tang of the trigger guard, as well as some cracking in that area, but no major damage.

A very nice Belgian-made 'Versailles' style percussion pistol with a rare single set trigger, ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1840
Caliber: about .55" pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 9 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 16 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action with Set Trigger
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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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.