Presented here is a unique opportunity to acquire one of the world's finest sets of exhibition percussion pistols by one of Paris' most celebrated gun makers. This magnificent cased set of silver mounted and gold inlaid pistols by F.E. Geerinckx were featured at the 1862 London Exhibition and at the 1889 Exposition Universelle. These exact pistols were the centerpiece to Geerinckx's display for both exhibitions and earned Geerinckx a medal "for good workmanship beauty of ornament in guns and pistols" at both exhibitions. The Damascus barrels were done by Bernard who received a medal at the 1862 London Exhibition for the "excellence of his barrels". The 1862 London Exhibition featured over 28,000 exhibitors from 36 countries who represented a wide range of industry, technology and the arts with an estimated 6.1 million visitors attending. The international exhibit was held in South Kensington, London, where the Natural History Museum now stands. Held in Paris, France, the 1889 Exposition Universelle coincided with the 100th anniversary of the storming of the Bastille, the symbol for the beginning of the French Revolution. The Eiffel Tower was specifically erected for the 1889 World's Fair and has become one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The fair featured over 61,722 exhibitors with over 32 million visitors attending. The pistols feature a heavy pure gold inlay instead of the usual gold Damascene work of the day which used a thin amalgam of gold in a solution with mercury. The solid gold embellishments were worked into chiseled channels and then engraved. The gold work is a vine and leaf pattern with "Geerinckx a Paris" in Gothic lettering on the lock plate, "Geerinckx sr de Gauvain" in Gothic lettering on the top barrel flat and the number "1" on the breech plug and barrel tang. Full coverage of the gold inlay floral motif is featured on the lock plate, hammer, barrel tang and breech plug. The fine Damascus and heavily rifled barrels are inlaid with the floral pattern from the breech to the mid-point and at the muzzle. The screws and the two barrel wedges are inlaid with gold. The architectonic silver mounts are in high raised relief silver cast with tiny Paris hallmarks. The silver mounts are simply exquisite, exhibiting fine ornate detail of a master craftsman. The highly polished and varnished walnut stock is finely checkered with each diamond accented with a silver nail. These pistols are referenced in "STOCKEL VOLUME" 1 page 425 as "Two richly decorated pistols". With the pistols is an exhibition ebony case inlaid with strapwork. The inside of the lid has the Geerinckx maker name and address stamped in silver leaf. The case is partitioned and holds both pistols and several accessories. The accessories are the following: flat head screwdriver, silver tipped wooden ramrod, ebony mallet, iron bullet mold, double face powder flask with shell pattern, two ebony containers (one holding percussion cap, the other holding two percussion nipples) and cleaning rod with attachment.

As described in "A", but with a gold inlaid number "2" on the breech plug and barrel tang.