This is an example of a unique 19th century style custom made pinfire ring gun which was subsequently made by unknown parties in the 20th century. These ring pistols are oddities and appeal to collectors purely as conversation pieces. The band of the ring has a light floral type engraving and is marked "LE PETIT GARDIAN". This ring gun features a small hand rotated 3-shot pinfire cartridge cylinder that must be removed for loading/unloading. The pins of the cartridges are struck by the base of the hammer (any pinfire cartridge is obsolete). Includes an jewelry type case with silvered escutcheon on the lid marked "LE PETIT/GARDIAN" cartridge block and two pinfire cartridges.

Very fine as custom made (see above), retains 75% plus of the original nitre blue with the German silver almost entirely bright and the balance mostly a smooth grey patina in the form of light handling wear. Mechanically fine. The case is fine with some mild wear.