A pair of pistols made by Jalabert Lamotte were reportedly purchased by Alexander Hamilton around 1790. Jalabert Lamotte of St. Etienne, France, was active well into the 19th century and was among the first to experiment with cast steel barrels. The heavily swamped barrel on this pistol has a golden band at the muzzle, fixed sights, and "Canon tordu" ("twisted barrel") in gold on the top flat, "TORDV" on the bottom, "171" and a crown proof on the left, and gold bands and loop designs at the breech. The advanced lock is marked "Jalabert/Lamotte" in an oval surrounded by laurels and has a weatherproof style pan and roller on the frizzen spring. The stock has checkering on the wrist.

Very good. The barrel retains half of the original gold inlay and displays a mottled gray patina on the visible surfaces with some light pitting and oxidation. The underside of the barrel has significant original blue finish. The lock and breech have subtle traces of original case colors and primarily gray patina. The other components are fairly bright and have light patina and very light pitting. The stock is fine as repaired. There is a small repair at the front of the forend on the left, a crack at the breech on the left, and fairly crisp checkering. The lock functions fine.