These pistols were created by the famous Le Page firm in Paris near the Royal Palace. The company traces its origins as royal/imperial gunmakers to Louis Pigny in 1717 and remained a significant force in French arms manufacturing, particularly fine arms, through the 19th century. At the time these pistols were produced (1808), Le Page was under the management of Jean Le Page (1746-1834). He oversaw the company from the reign of Louis XVI through the French Revolution, Napoleon's reign, and the Bourbon Restoration. The pistols have gold blade and notch sights, sighting grooves in the upper tangs and breech ends of the barrels, gold bands and inlays, gold arrows on the upper tangs pointing towards the muzzles, "Le Page a Paris" on the upper left flats in gold, "Arqer De l'Empereur" in gold on the upper right barrel flats, additional gold inlays and bands at the breech, and gold banded breech plugs with gold rhombuses on the upper side flats and five stars on top. Very similar gold inlays and designs are known on sets of pistols were produced under Nicolas Noel Boutet at Versailles in the same period. The upper tangs are engraved with torches and floral motifs. The hammers also have floral and torch patterns, and the locks are signed "Le Page/A Paris" in ornate script and have floral engraving. The inside of the locks are marked "No 1051" and "A-18" (A) and "No. 1051" and "A-1808" (B). They have adjustable single set triggers. The trigger guards have large vase finials, smoking torch patterns on the bows, spurs, and floral accents. The side plates also have floral patterns. The half-stocks have checkered wrists with scalloped borders, floral borders on the pommels, and steel caps with trifida fulgures (trident-shaped lightning bolts of Jupiter) in gold. The latter is both a reference to Jupiter, king of the Roman Gods, and a symbol of the Roman army that Napoleon emulated. The case contains rods, a mallet, a horn powder flask with a measure, bullet mold, oiler, combination tool, and has a blank escutcheon on the lid.

Fine with bright original gold, 70% original case colors on the trigger guard and pommel cap, traces of original case colors on the lock and breech, mostly smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, some mild oxidation/pitting, and general mild wear mostly from age and storage. The stock is also fine and has crisp checkering, minor edge wear, a thin crack at the wedge on the right, and light scrapes and dings. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine and has storage wear including some separation and mild scrapes and dings. The accessories are very good and have mostly mild storage wear.

See "A."

Fine with bright original gold, 70% original case colors on the trigger guard and pommel cap, 20% original case colors on the lock and breech, smooth gray and brown patina on most of the balance, some edge wear near the muzzle, spots of mild oxidation, and general mild wear mostly from age and storage. The stock is also fine and has crisp checkering, some mild scratches and marks, a thin crack at the rear lock screw on the left, and general light wear overall. Mechanically excellent. This is a very attractive pair of pistols by one of France's most famous gunmakers. Given they were manufactured in 1808 during the Peninsular War, they may have been specifically made for presentation to a French or Italian military officer.