The Gastinne-Renette families were joined by the marriage of Louis-Julien Gastinne and Joséphine Adèle Renette, son and daughter of the founders of the firm. Despite long standing bans on the practice, dueling remained a fixture in France throughout the 19th century, and the firm became especially well-known for their dueling pistols. They supplied arms to the leadership of the Second French Republic and continued to supply arms to Napoleon III and the Imperial Court when he became Emperor. The shop became a nexus of Parisian dueling culture, rented cased sets like this, and even trained duelists. Among their high end sporting guns is a well-known shotgun once owned by Napoleon III. They also later supplied arms to the French Resistance during WWII nearly a century later. The rifled barrels are marked "Gastinne Renette a Paris" on top and have dovetail mounted post front sights. Unlike many of the similarly fashioned target pistols, these pistols have fixed sights on the tang at the breech as was required by many dueling customs. The triggers are also plain but have a very low pull weight. The locks and other casehardened components have attractive floral scroll engraving, and the well-figured French walnut stocks have fluted carving on the wrists and scrollwork at the noses. The pair comes in a French fitted, well-figured mahogany case with "HHB" inscribed plaque on the top of the lid and the following accessories inside: small brass powder flask, two small wooden containers for percussion caps and patches, cleaning rod, ramrod, mallet, combination nipple wrench/screwdriver, small measure, bullet mold, and five lead balls.

Fine with a smooth brown mix of faded finish and patina along the barrel, traces of niter blue on some of the small parts, and light gray patina on most of the balance. There is some minor edge wear and faint spotting. The stock is very good and has crisp carving and fluting, scattered small scrapes and dings, and glossy finish. Mechanically excellent. The restored case and the accessories are very good with minor storage wear including some dents indentations and staining/fading on the lining.

See A.

Fine with a smooth blend of faded original finish and even dark brown patina along the barrel, mostly light gray patina on the balance, minor edge wear and some light spotting. The stock is very good and has strong finish, crisp carving and fluting, and some small nicks and scratches. Mechanically excellent. Overall, this is an attractive cased set by one of the finest Parisian gunmakers of the era.