Original Item. Only One Available. This is a lovely French Double Barrel Flintlock pistol, made very much in the "Versailles" style, with a grip that flares out at the very bottom, and some lovely engraved iron fittings. 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 is marked on the lock plates in French script with Barbey on the left and à Paris on the right. Claude Barbey (also recorded as Barbais and Barbay) was a known gunmaker operating in Paris between 1780 and 1815. We have seen several flintlock pocket pistols by this maker, as well as some slightly longer Flintlocks, such as this lovely pistol. It has 5 1/4 inch double smoothbore barrels in approximately 26 bore (0.564"), and measures 10 5/8 inches in overall length. The underside of the hooked breech barrel assembly does not show any markings.

The pistol has lovely matured iron mountings, which bear some great engraved foliate designs that really add to the look of the pistol. The side action locks also have some simple foliate engraving, which extends onto almost all lock components, including the lock screw. This pistol is definitely a well-executed example, most likely made for a well-heeled customer. Overall condition of the metalwork is very good, with the barrels showing a lovely gray patina, with a matured brown color to the other fittings, and no major oxidation or peppering present. We checked the functionality, and both locks hold correctly at half cock, firing only at full.

The walnut stock is checkered around the wrist and comes complete with a wooden ramrod, which is most likely a period replacement. It has the love curved Versailles-style grip that flares at the very end, and unlike others, it is not flat on the bottom, instead bearing a domed butt cap. There is a small brass escutcheon just below the engraved barrel tang, which is not marked.

A lovely example of an early 19th century French Double Barreled Flintlock pistol, ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1810
Caliber: about .56" - 26 Bore
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 5 1/4 inches
Overall Length: 10 5/8 inches
Action: Percussion Side Action Locks
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.

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.