Nice quality matching pair of French percussion dueling pistols. The pistols are typical of French dueling pistols manufactured in the 1840s. The pistols feature a 9 inch .50 caliber rifled octagon barrel fitted with a dovetailed blade front sight and a fixed rear sight on the barrel tang. The pistols have a single-set trigger and the trigger guard has a prominent finger spur. The pistols have a wedge-fastened European walnut half-stock with a decorative carved forend, finely checkered grips and flared butts with a decorative hard rubber and iron caps. The pistols have no provision for a ramrod. The barrels are brown with a Damascus pattern, The trigger guard and trigger guard finial, the barrel tang, butt cap, lock and hammer of each pistol is engraved with floral designs. The side plates feature a decorative wing like design with leaf and geometric engraved designs. The locks are unmarked and all metal surfaces other than the barrel are casehardened. The top of the barrel plug is numbered "1" and "2" respectively. The pistols are complete in a period wooden case with a "SJDC" inscribed inset diamond shaped brass plaque on the outside of the lid and wine colored velvet French cut lining. In the case is a wooden and brass ramrod, single cavity iron round bullet mold, metal cleaning rod, nipple wrench with nicely figured wooden handle, replacement powder flask, two round wooden containers, two partially full cap tins, one Goldmark, the other unlabeled, approximately 17 conical and round lead bullets, key and a wooden mallet.

Very Fine. The barrel retains 85% original brown finish and most of the Damascus pattern remains. The hammer and lock retain 95% original case colors. The buttcap retains 85% original case colors and the trigger guard and lower tang show dark original case colors in protected areas. The side plate has a smooth gray patina. The stock is excellent with a small period repaired crack on the lower left side, a few minor dings and handling marks, and sharp checkering. The action is fine. The case is good with a large separated crack extending across the lid and bottom with chipped wood on two corners and one side. The lining has faded to tan except in the protected areas. The powder flask has lost much of its finish and has numerous corrosion holes. The remaining accessories are all very good.

As "A".

Very fine. The barrel shows most of the Damascus pattern. The hammer, lock, buttcap and barrel plug retain at least 90% original case colors. The trigger guard and lower tang retain much of the original case colors with some light oxidation of the front strap. The side plate has a smooth gray patina. The stock is excellent with a few minor dings and crisp checkering. The action is fine.