Museum Quality Pair of Original French Louis XIV Era Flintlock Turnover Over-Under Pistols by Mayer of Lyon Circa 1645
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Original Items: One-of-a-kind set. These magnificent pistols represent the absolute pinnacle of early French flintlock artistry and mechanical innovation during the formative years of the reign of Louis XIV, the legendary “Sun King.” Crafted circa 1645 by Mayer of Lyon, they date from one of the most important transitional periods in firearms history, when the newly developed true flintlock mechanism was revolutionizing European warfare and aristocratic arms collecting alike.
Produced by gun maker Mayer in Lyon, one of France’s most important luxury arms-making centers outside Paris, these pistols embody the extraordinary level of craftsmanship associated with only elite 17th century French gunmakers. Comparable turnover pistols by celebrated Lyon makers are today preserved in major museum collections and are recognized as rare surviving examples of the early “Wender” or turnover multi-shot system.
Measuring an impressive 26 inches in overall length with 18.5 inch barrels, these extraordinary pistols are masterpieces of both mechanical innovation and decorative arts. The beautifully figured stocks are exceptionally elegant in form and terminate in ebony butt caps finely inlaid with ivory buttons, a luxurious feature reserved for arms of the highest quality.
The steel trigger guards and heavily sculpted side plates are lavishly carved in relief, each pistol displaying differing scenes of sea monsters and mythical beasts. The locks themselves are richly engraved with martial battle scenes, while the intricately pierced hammers depict mounted bare-breasted Amazonian warriors engaged in combat with exotic creatures, showcasing the imagination and artistry of the maker at the height of the Baroque period.
The revolving over-and-under barrel assemblies each retain their own individually engraved frizzen mechanisms adorned with delicate floral motifs. When placed at half-cock, the trigger guards may be depressed, allowing the paired barrels to freely rotate and bring the second loaded barrel into firing position. At a time when most pistols offered only a single shot before requiring a lengthy reload, this ingenious system allowed the user four shots before reloading became necessary, making such pistols especially favored by cavalry officers and wealthy noblemen.
A true hallmark of the finest bespoke craftsmanship is evident in the decoration itself. The carving and engraving throughout the pair are not identical copies, but rather complementary artistic compositions. Each pistol stands as an elegant artistic statement in its own right, while together forming an exceptionally rare and visually stunning matched pair.
Dating from the age of Richelieu, Mazarin, and the rise of Versailles, these museum-worthy pistols are not merely firearms, but important works of early Baroque art and symbols of aristocratic power during the emergence of France as Europe’s dominant military and cultural superpower under Louis XIV.
Few surviving examples from this early period remain in private hands, particularly pairs retaining such artistic and mechanical sophistication. This is unquestionably among the finest and most historically significant early French flintlock pistol sets we have ever encountered.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
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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 posses, 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. They are sold as collector’s items or as wall hangers. 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.
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