Nineteenth Century French percussion pistol with monogrammed case and accessories. The top of the barrel is inscribed: "GASTINNE RENETTE A PARIS". The underside of the barrel has an impressed oval proof mark followed by the date "1844" and the number "385". The top of the barrel tang is numbered "1". The pistol has a heavy, rifled, octagon barrel with fenced bolster and dove-tailed front sight. The tang and bolster are decorated with intricate scroll engraving on a stippled background. The pistol has a wedge-fastened, highly figured, European walnut stock. The stock forend is relief carved with floral designs and the fluted grip has relief carved floral panels on the sides and back. The hammer, lock plate, side plate, spur trigger guard and fluted buttplate are embellished with the same intricate scroll engraving as the bolster and tang. The lock plate, side plate and trigger guard are fitted flush with the stock. The barrel and iron furniture are bright. The lid of the mahogany case is inlaid with a rectangular brass plate inscribed with a crown above the stylized initials "LL". The French fitted case is lined with purple velvet and has seven compartments. The pistol barrel must be dismounted to fit the case. The case contains: (1) an iron, blued, single cavity round ball mold, (2) a small, copper, bag-shaped powder flask with lacquer-finished body, (3) a blued iron powder measure, (4) a walnut ramrod with brass tip, (5) a walnut cleaning rod with brass jag and (6) a tin of percussion caps and several round balls. This is a very high quality pistol with impeccably executed relief carving and delicate engraving.

Very fine. The pistol barrel has a dull, satin coin finish and the iron furniture has a dove gray finish. The surfaces of the barrel are smooth and the rifling is crisp. The engraved surfaces are in excellent condition. Wear is limited to flash pitting on the percussion nipple and adjacent portions of the bolster. The hammer has been professionally restored on the top portion which has been repaired. The stock has some minor handling marks but is in very good overall condition. The relief carving and fluting are crisp. The case exterior is in fine condition with moderate storage wear. The case interior is in good condition with some fading. There are two stains and several small compression marks on the inside of the lid. The edge of the lining on the case partitions is torn in several areas. The accessories are all in very good condition. This is an extraordinary example of a high quality, mid-19th century French percussion pistol.