The Mode 1763/66 pistols were used by both the French Army and Navy and by American rebel forces later during the American Revolution making them historically significant pistol for both European and American martial arms collectors. The barrel has a proof and what appears to be "66" on the left at the breech and "Mle 1763" on the tang. The lock has "crown/HB/Manufre Royale/a St Etienne." The furniture is all brass which was generally used for naval pistols. The stock has the following deep markings: "71/B" on the left flat, "V. LORN" on the left side of the wrist, and "GALLIFFET" on the top of the wrist. Includes research relating to Gaston Alexandre Auguste, Marquis de Galliffet, Prince de Martigues (1830-1909), who served as an officer in the French military from 1848 to 1894, on the personal staff of Napoleon III, as governor of Paris in the late 19th century, and as minister of war at the beginning of the 20th century as well as some of his ancestors. The pistol may be connected to his wealthy family which was prominent for centuries, had many military men, and owned lucrative sugar plantations in Saint-Domingue from the early 1700s until they were destroyed during the Haitian Revolution. Louis Francois Alexandre Galliffet was a lieutenant general in the French Army in the 1770s for example.

Very good with mottled gray patina and pitting on the iron, aged patina on the brass, several dents and scratches in the refinished wood, repairs around the lock mortise, slivers and chips absent from the forend, and moderate overall wear. Mechanically fine.