Gilles Michel Louis Moutier-LePage (1810-1887) began running the famous LePage arms firm in Paris in 1842, and they began marking their arms LePage Moutier. Like his predecessors, he oversaw one of the most prestigious gunmaking firms in Europe, and he won medals at French and international exhibitions, including the Great Exhibition in 1851. He was joined by Emile Henry Faure Le Page in 1865 and left the firm in his control in 1868. This pair is engraved with extensive relief floral scroll patterns inhabited by wyverns on the locks and trigger guards, deep floral patterns on the pommels, "LePage Moutier arqer Brevete a Paris" on the top of the barrels, and "LEPAGE MOUTIER" in banners below the hammers. The engraving has stippled backgrounds. The pistols are marked "N1701/10004./A. 1859" on the bottom of the barrels, and "1701" is repeated on the inside of the forends, breech hooks, and breech faces. The upper tangs have "1" and "2" respectively among the engraving. The bottom of the breech plugs have "crown/L-B." The ebony stocks have relief and raised relief carved floral scroll patterns and silver wedge escutcheons. The rosewood case has an "A" engraved on the central escutcheon along with scroll designs and contains a mallet, bullet mold, screwdriver/nipple wrench, LePage powder flask, loading and cleaning rods, a small measure, and a key.

Fine overall with some spots of minor discoloration on the otherwise bright metal surfaces, dark aged patina on the silver, crisp engraving and carving, and minor overall wear. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are very good and have storage wear including some minor cracking in the lid.

See "A."

Fine overall with only slight spots of discoloration on the otherwise bright metal surfaces, deep aged patina on the silver, crisp engraving and carving, slight edge wear, and general light handling and storage type marks. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: the Dr. Gerald Klaz collection.