Given Parisian gunmaker Casimir Lefaucheux (1802-1852) was highly influential in the creation of modern self-contained ammunition as the inventor of pinfire cartridges, the Lefaucheux name is mostly associated with pinfire firearms, but the shop also made traditional arms. Dueling pistols were particularly hold-outs in terms of using traditional forms and ammunition. The pistols in this set are crafted in the style popular in France and Belgium in the 1840s and 1850s. The rifled barrels have bead style front sights, fluted mid-sections, and "rue Vivienne" [upper left], "Lefaucheux" [top], and "a Paris" [upper right] in relief gold inlay in the breech sections. They have "322" and what appears to be the "CL" monogram of Casimir Lefaucheux on the bottoms. Each pistol has "1" and "2" respectively inlaid in gold on the breech plug and upper tang. Aside from the barrels, the components are French gray finished and have intricate floral and scroll engraving. The stocks are ebony and have fluted wrists that pair nicely with the fluted barrels and also have relief carved interlaced scroll carving. They are marked "JNI" inside the forends. This stockmaker was apparently a prolific carver of dueling and target pistol stocks as these initials are found on many pairs of such pistols. The case lid has an inlayed and engraved coronet (appears to be for a viscount) over the initials "O.A." and "LEFAUCHEUX/A PARIS" and border designs inside. The interior is closely fitted and also contains a gold accented ladle, mallet, elaborately engraved ball mold, adjustable horn powder flask, screwdriver, oiler, container, ramrod, cleaning rod, and brass tags marked "484/MMG" and "484/MMG." The tags indicate they came out of the Miquel Mujica Gallo Museo de Oro in Lima, Peru.

Very good with 95% plus original blue finish, bright original gold inlays, smooth gray on most of the balance, some brown patina forming, oxidation primarily on the underside of the barrel and inside the lock, crisp engraving, and general mild age and storage related wear. The stock is also very good and has a few tiny chips, crisp carving, and some slight scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. The case is fair and has some absent or loose border inlays and absent lock plate, several chips, some cracks, and moderate overall wear including compression marks on the interior from many years of the carved stocks and accessories pressing into the lining. The accessories are mostly fine and have mild age related wear including some minor oxidation. The engraving on the mold remains crisp.

See "A."

Very good with 95% original blue finish, bright gold inlays, oxidation concentrate on the bottom of the barrel and lock, mix of smooth French gray and light brown patina on the balance, crisp engraving, and general minor wear. The stock is fine and has crisp carving, dark finish, a crack on the left side at the forend tip, somewhat loose cap, and a few tiny chips at the butt. The half-cock notch is not secure, but it is otherwise mechanically fine. Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz collection.