This is an exceptional, high end, deluxe engraved set of French dueling pistols. The pistol were produced by "Gastinne-Renette" Paris and are so marked on top of the barrels "Gastinne-Renette axq. Le Empexeur & du Prince Imperial" and again on both lock plates "GASTINNE-RENETTE". The makers name and label inside the lid of the case is marked in four lines "GASTINNE-RENETTE/AROB.-ORDINAIRE/de.S.M. L Empereur/A. Paris". The pistol themselves are just gorgeous overall with fantastically executed, and lavishly deep relief engraving on the lock plates, the hammer, the rear of the barrel/breech plug and tangs, the nose caps, the trigger guard, trigger plate, and the butt caps. Additionally, the trigger guards are both pistols have raised gold monogram "ML" in a script design. The engraving has been exceptionally well laid out and executed, with the deep relief and fine punch dot background being extremely well done, obviously something that could only be done by a master engraver for this company. Each pistol is correctly matched and numbered as a set with both pistols carrying the number "1" and "2" on top of each of the breech plugs and tangs. Both pistols are 50 caliber and have a very unique 12 lands and groove rifling twist pattern. The pistols were then stocked in one-piece Ebony wood that is very dark, almost black in color that has also been lavishly deep relief carved in a vine and leaf pattern with a slight punch dot back ground for shading. The various accessories that accompany the pistols are made of Ebony and include a mallet for seating the bullets, two cleaning/loading rods, two small round storage box for caps and patches, a very small power flask that was probably intended to carry enough powder for just a single charge for each pistol, a nipple removal tool and a single round ball mold with a built in spur cutter. The pistols are housed in a walnut presentation case with French fitted compartments, brass hinges and locks, and a green felt liner/material. Certainly the expert level of engraving and deluxe wood and components that make up this set would indicate it was for Royalty or a government official. It would certainly be worth doing further research on these two beautiful pistols.

Excellent overall, the metal is in the white, showing some slight discoloration in a couple of areas on the barrel probably from just being handled over the years and not properly cleaned with some very fine small amounts of erosion/pitting along the side where the metal contacts the ebony stock on the barrel, lock plate and escheuton. The right side of the stock shows two cracks that have an old repair that starts at the front edge of the lock plate and run towards the nose-cap, with the balance of the stock in excellent condition with matching, master level carving overall. The case is fine overall with a slight crack across the lid with a small areas of wood missing on the bottom, front right corner. The corners are tight and intact and overall it shows minor handling with nicks and light pressure dents. The inside compartments are good overall with the bottom section of the case appears to have sagged a little due to the weight of pistol, which could be easily repaired by a professional restorer. The accessories are all in excellent condition and the pistols appears to have been shot very little as there are no signs of firing around the nipples or bolster areas. A beautiful super highly engraved set of Exhibition Quality cased dueling pistols.

Described in A.

Excellent overall, the metal is in the white, showing some slight discoloration in a couple of areas on the barrel probably from just being handled over the years and not properly cleaned with some very fine small amounts of erosion/pitting along the side where the metal contacts the ebony stock on the barrel, lock plate and escheuton. The stock has only the normal handling marks overall and excellent carving. A very small section of the gold inlay is missing on the one leg of the letter "M".