Manufactured around the mid-19th century. There are no identifying markings, but pistols of this basic design were manufactured in France by Joseph-Célestin Dumonthier. One was owned by Emperor Maximilian of Mexico and is currently part of the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago. These would be useful for dispatching wounded game during a hunt or in self-defense and could be seen as an evolution of earlier 18th century hunting sword and daggers with built in pistols. Similar weapons were manufactured in Norway and Sweden for postal workers. The 14 inch blade has deep fullers that both provide strength and prevent the bullets from striking the blade. The upper parts of the guard act as the hammer, and when they are pulled back, two folding triggers descend from the front strap. The brass scales have spiral patterns along most of the length and then an array of arms and floral motifs on the pommel. Provenance: Gillespie collection.

Fine with mottled gray patina and some edge wear on the fine blade, mostly brown patina on the remaining iron, and aged patina on the brass. Mechanically fine. The scabbard is fair with a split seam, some crackling and tears, and some dents in the brass. Overall, this is an attractive double barrel knife pistols clearly heavily based on the Dumonthier pattern if not actually manufactured for or by that firm.