Birds head stock profiles were used on 18th century French cavalry and naval pistols. The basic designs were modified by gunmakers into true bird heads for officers' pistols like the eagle pattern on this matching pair which was manufactured by Duval in the port city of Nantes around 1765. Several matching pistols by Duval are known. Most are not in this fine condition or in pairs. The Washington Naval Yard has one of these Duval pistols, and it is believed to have been carried by the Marquis de Lafayette. They have almost entirely brass fittings aside from some small components suggesting naval use. The cannon style barrels have martial engraving on top in the breech sections. The locks have simple border designs and are signed "DUVAL/A NANTES." The side plates and trigger guards also have minimalistic designs. The stocks have true bird head profiles and are fitted with eagle head pommel caps and have wire inlays around the barrel tangs.

Very good with attractive aged patina on the brass, mottled dark gray patina on the iron, and small scratches and marks on both the wood and metal. The ramrod is replacement painted to resemble the original with gun B. Mechanically fine.

See A. Includes a baleen ramrod with brass tip and iron worm.

Very good with an attractive aged patina on the brass, mottled dark gray patina on the iron, mild scratches on the wood and metal, and hairline cracks in the forend. Mechanically fine.