Original Item. Only One Available. This is a lovely Belgian percussion pistol, made very much in the French "Versailles" style, with a flat bottom flared grip, and some lovely engraved silver appointments. 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 was made in Liège, Belgium, a gunmaking center even today. It has an octagonal 8 1/4 inch barrel, which has very large 0.70" bore. The exterior has a lovely faux Damascus milled texture, which possibly was etched onto the barrel.

The pistol has lovely silver mounts, which bear some great foliate engraving, and really add to the look of the pistol. The back action lock also has some simple foliate engraving, and is made very much in the French style. We checked the functionality, and it holds correctly at half cock, firing only at full. There are no maker marks on the pistol anywhere that we could see, however there looks to be a partial Liège proof on the right side of the barrel, and there are also some markings on the underside of the barrel.

The walnut stock is checkered around the wrist and comes complete with its original steel ramrod. It is carved around the exterior of the butt with some great designs. The butt cap has a lanyard loop installed, which swivels easily. There is also a shield-shaped escutcheon on the back of the wrist, which is not marked.

A lovely example of an early mid 19th century Belgian percussion pistol, ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1830
Caliber: about .70" pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 8 1/4 inches
Overall Length: 14 1/2 inches
Action: Percussion Back Action Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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