This intimidating and beautiful weapon was designed by Joseph-Celestin Dumouthier in Paris in the mid-19th century. His surname is regularly seen spelled both as Dumouthier and Dumonthier in period sources and modern works. He was active from 1840 to around 1900 and is listed in period sources as originally from Houdan in northern France. Bladed pistols had, by that time, already been manufactured for multiple centuries in Europe for use as hunting sidearms used to finish off wounded boars and other game. Some of these fascinating weapons are known to have been given to world leaders, including Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico (in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago). The blade is marked "DUMOUTHIER" and "BREVET DVN" above and below the left barrel respectively. The upper section of the quillions pull back revealing the nipples and serve as the hammers. When the right hammer is pulled back, the folding trigger extends. Pulling the trigger first engages the right hammer, and then, once the trigger is reset, it can be pulled a second time to engage the left hammer. The grips are spiral pattern and are brass with nickel plating and gilding. The blade is 8 3/8 inches long. "22" is marked on the right side of the left trigger.

Very fine with light patina on the otherwise bright blade and barrels, patches of gilding on the left grip, aged nickel on the balance of the outside of the grips, 60% of the original case colors on the guard/hammers. Mechanically fine.