This early 19th century design came from French inventor Edme Regnier L'Aine who designed additional interesting flintlocks such as the "defensive lighter" in Lot 3425. Additional examples with some variation can be seen in Lot 3428 and Lot 3429, and also see the similar "chicken thief gun" shown in Lewis Winant's "Firearms Curiosa" on pages 112 and 114 and figure 114. The pistol is all metal and is basically a modified boxlock flintlock pocket pistol with a toothed clamp on the back of the grip, a trigger with roller actuated by a hooked release running along the bottom of the barrel for attachment to a trip wire, and a ring fitted to the right side of the barrel. "REGNIER" is stamped on the left side. Provenance: The Henk L. Visser Collection

Fine with mostly silver gray patina, some faint oxidation, and generally minor overall wear. The top jaw and screw are replaced. Mechanically fine.