This is a magnificent example of a cased exhibition grade percussion pistol made by Gastinne Renette of Paris and dated "1843" on the underside of the barrel. The pistol is complete with an ebony, French fitted case with inlaid lid and leather outer cover. The pistol has a .50 caliber, rifled, wedge-fastened, octagon barrel. The edges of the barrel flats are fluted, and the muzzle and breech are decorated with tightly engraved scroll-work on a stippled background. The barrel is browned with a bright breech, urn-shaped fenced and bolster. The muzzle is fitted with an iron, dovetailed, front sight bead. The maker's name and Paris address are inlaid in gold on the top barrel flat. The pistol has a carved ebony stock. The forend is relief carved with a satyr's face. The grip is fluted and has relief-carved vines on the sides and back strap. The bright-finished lock plate and hammer are delicately engraved with three grotesque faces interlinked with delicate leaf engraving on a stippled background. The forward portion of the lock is engraved with a putto pouring wine into a cup held by a satyr. The maker's name and address are engraved in a relief panel below the hammer. The side plate features a grotesque mask surrounded by leaf engraving. The trigger guard finial and the bottom of the trigger guard are also engraved with grotesque masks and engraving. The barrel tang is fitted with a target rear sight that is adjustable for elevation with a key contained in the case. The tang is engraved with same combination of grotesque masks and leaf designs as the lock, side plate and trigger guard. The rear of the tang has a gold inlaid monogram that features a count's coronet over the initials "G.A." The same coronet and initial monogram are inlaid on the case lid surrounded by scroll-work and highlighted with pearl accents. The case interior is trimmed with brass and lined with dark green velvet. The case has twelve compartments that contain: (1) the pistol barrel, (2) the stock and lock, (3) a steel, round ball bullet mold with engraved scroll-work on the sides and bottom of the mold and sides of the handles, (4) a nipple wrench with ebony handle, (5) rear sight adjustment key, (6) urn-shaped powder or lead ladle with engraved handle, (7) wire cleaning jag, (8) a silver powder flask with integral bullet magazine marked "DIXON & SONS/SHEFFIELD" on the top of the magazine lid, (9) an ebony cap box with screw-on lid that contains a spare percussion nipple and other parts, (10) a fitted brass box containing two jags for the cleaning rod, (11) a fitted brass box for bullets and (12) a wooden cleaning rod with brass tip and a brass ramrod.

Extremely fine. The barrel retains 85% of the slightly faded brown matte finish. The barrel edges are sharp; wear is limited to some very minor age discoloration on the bright-finished muzzle face and some fine flash pitting on the bolster fence and percussion nipple. The bright-finished lock, hammer, trigger guard, side plate and fluted buttcap have minimal handling wear. The delicate and flawlessly executed engraving is crisp. The stock is in very fine condition with only light handling wear and two very minor chips on the left flat. The case exterior has been protected by the leather cover and remains in excellent condition. The case lining is in very fine condition; the velvet lining is dark and unfaded, and wear is limited to light compression marks, some minor oil stains and several insignificant tears in the fabric. All of the accessories are present and appear to be original to the pistol. The accessories all appear to be in excellent condition. The leather outer case is in good condition with moderate wear and edge looseness. This is a magnificent example of a deluxe French percussion pistol that was obviously made for a member of European aristocracy.