Parisian gunmaker Casimir Lefaucheux (1802-1852) is best remembered as the inventor of pinfire cartridges. Pinfire cartridges were the first self-contained cartridge system and made breechloading firearms practical and accelerated the modernization of firearms. A large quantity of the Lefaucheux firearms were thus pinfire, but his shop also made traditional arms which were still popular despite his advancements. The pistols are crafted in the style popular on French dueling and target pistols in the 1840s and 1850s but are particularly rare given their special stocks and the matching accessories. The rifled barrels have bead style front sights, "F. P. Lefaucheux Bte. rue de la Bourse 10 a Paris" and some leafy scrolls in an etched panel on top, and "CL" monograms of Casimir Lefaucheux along with "910" on the undersides. Each pistol has "1" and "2" respectively inlaid in gold on the breech plug and upper tang. Aside from the barrels, the components have border, floral, and scroll engraving and are finished gray. The stocks have fluted wrists. The case has "LEFAUCHEUX/A PARIS" and border designs on the interior which is fitted to the pistols and has a set of accessories that mostly are made from the same material as the stocks.

Fine with 85% plus original bright blue finish, mostly even gray on the balance, some mild oxidation including at the muzzle, and general minor wear. The stock is very fine and has attractive natural tones and grain and some minor blemishes. The mainspring is a little light, but the pistol is mechanically fine. The case exterior is fair and has a cracked lid with an absent escutcheon and moderate scrapes and dings. The case interior and the accessories are very good and have mostly minor age and handling type wear including some age cracks (full length on rod) and some light oxidation on the accessories.

See "A."

Fine with 85% plus original bright blue finish on the barrel, mostly even gray on the balance, patches of mild oxidation, heavier oxidation at the muzzle, crisp markings and engraving, and general mild wear. The stock is also fine and has a few minor age cracks, attractive natural tones and grain, and general minor age and storage related wear. The mainspring is a bit weak, but it is mechanically fine. Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz collection.