Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a very nice French "capping breech loader" pistol, made by one of the most well-known names in French bespoke firearms. The top of the smoothbore octagonal barrel still bears relatively clear script markings:
Inv’on Le Page arq’er du Roi
This is the abbreviation for Invention Le Page arquebusier du Roi, or "Invented by Le Page, Arms Supplier to the King". Le Page of Paris is a legendary French firearms manufacturer (arquebusier and fourbisseur) established in Paris in 1716. Founded by Louis Pigny, the company remained in the same family until 1913. Throughout its history, the manufacturer was successively called Pigny, Le Page, Le Page Moutier, and finally settled on Fauré Le Page in 1865. This company was unique in it's ability to become the official supplier to the NUMEROUS successive governments of France during the many revolutions and changes that took place during the 18th and 19th centuries. The company still exists today.
The pistol measures 13 inches overall, with a 8 3/8 inch barrel that swivels out for loading when the button on the bottom is pressed. There is a short chamber at the end of the barrel, so it appears to have been designed for some type of pre-packaged charge. Overall the metalwork on the pistol displays a polished bright steel patina, with signs of page oxidation and peppering that have been cleaned away. The bore is smooth, and shows light wear, but no major oxidation. We checked the lock, and it is functional but the tumbler is worn, so it will fire at both full and half cock.
The pistol has a very nice "birds head" grip, which is quite comfortable, and looks to be made from walnut. It shows wear from service, and does show a repaired crack on the lower right, with both scales also missing chunks at the bottom, which is very common.
A very interesting early breech loading design from a legendary French maker, ready to research and display!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: circa 1845
Bore Diameter: 0.62"
Ammunition Type: Cap with Breech Loaded Cartridge
Barrel Length: 8 3/8 inches
Overall Length: 13 inches
Action: Back Action Percussion
Feed System: Single Shot
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 not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
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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