{"product_id":"original-belgian-versailles-style-rifled-officers-percussion-pistol-with-single-set-trigger-circa-1840-liege-proofed","title":"Original Belgian \"Versailles\" Style Rifled Officer's Percussion Pistol with Single Set Trigger Circa 1840 - Liège Proofed","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 \u003cstrong\u003eE \/ L G \/ * in an Oval\u003c\/strong\u003e proof, indicating manufacture in Liège, Belgium. We also removed the barrel, and it is marked with \u003cstrong\u003eMB\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eHL\u003c\/strong\u003e, probably maker or inspector markings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very nice Belgian-made 'Versailles' style percussion pistol with a rare single set trigger, ready to research and display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: circa 1840\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: about .55\" pistol\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmmunition Type: Lead Ball \u0026amp; Powder\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 9 1\/2 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 16 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction: Flintlock Side Action with Set Trigger\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: Muzzle-Loaded\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45131744477253,"sku":"ONSV26HAD099","price":1095.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/6C5E65A9-272F-4426-A5DC-80A7D4AF4C7A.jpg?v=1781111257","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-belgian-versailles-style-rifled-officers-percussion-pistol-with-single-set-trigger-circa-1840-liege-proofed","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}