Swiss-born gunmaker Franz Ulrich (1771-1845) produced a variety of firearms in Stuttgart, Germany, including pairs of distinctive pistols with inside hammers and a few variations of hammer-stall safeties c. 1840. This incredible pair also features both multi-groove rifled and smoothbore swamped browned Damascus barrels. The rifled barrels feature dovetailed silver blade front sights, "F. ULRICH IN STUTTGART" in gold inlay, and casehardened breech plugs with foliate engraving, gold inlaid bands, and sunken and gold lined maker's marks. The smoothbore barrels feature dovetailed gold bead front sights, "F. Ulrich in Stuttgart" in silver inlay, and plainer breech plugs. The standing breeches have foliate engraving, screw adjustable notch rear sights, and "No 1" and "No 2" respectively highlighted in gold. The distinctive casehardened locks are signed "F. ULRICH" in gold inlay and have bestial motifs with gold eyes and teeth on the inside mounted hammers along with sunken and gold lined "PATENT" on the sides, elaborate foliate engraving, an engraved scene of a dog towards the tails, and gold inlaid borders. The casehardened furniture features coordinating gold inlays and engraving. The trigger guards include folding spurs, and enclose adjustable single set triggers. The half-length stocks have gold wedge escutcheons, panels of checkering on the wrists, contrasting pommels with gilt floral caps, and gold escutcheons on the left flats inscribed with a herzogskrone/ducal coronet over the initials "NB". The case has beautiful birdseye maple panels with contrasting edges and a closely fitted interior containing the pistols, extra barrels, a lacquer and gilt finished tin marked “Ohl & Pflaster." (oil and patches) with a removable oil tin on the left inside and a compartment for patches on the right, casehardened ball mold, small horn flask, cleaning and loading rods, measures, and screwdriver.

Fine. The barrels display a mix of period refurbished browned finish and dark gray and brown patina. The silver has aged patina, and the gold inlays remain bright. The lock and furniture display areas of bright case colors and some fading and light patination. The re-oiled stock has crisp checkering, minor dings and scratches, and a small crack on the left at the breech. The case and accessories are mostly very fine with mild age and storage related wear. The flask's spout is stuck, and the cap is loose.

Fine. The barrels display a mix of period refurbished brown finish and brown patina. The silver has aged patina. The gold remains bright. The majority of the case colors remain vibrant. The engraving and markings remain distinct. The re-oiled stock is also fine and has crisp checkering, light scratches and dings, and mostly light age and handling related wear. Mechanically fine. Overall, this is a very attractive and distinctive pair of German percussion pistols.