All sides are decorated with large inlaid gold scrolls of art nouveau flowering branches done in damascene style against a matte background. The details: vines, leafs and buds, are all engraved and inlaid in gold. The top of the barrel has "GAULOIS", the crossed cannons and arrow logo inlayed in gold on a high polished blue surface, with gold leaf at the muzzle and top of the frame. There is a silver front sight. The top of the frame is marked in gold "CAL./ 8m/m" over the chamber with the full company marking "MANUFACTURE FRANCAISE / SAINT-ETIENNE" in a circle between gold lines surrounding "ARMES/ ET/ CYCLES" at the rear. Gold lines are inlayed on the operating arm and the grip pad on the rear is mother of pearl. The sliding dust cover and safety are engraved with simple patterns. The circled "S" and "F" are also gold inlaid. Complete in a brown leatherette case with a hinged lid, maroon satin lining in the lid and red velvet, three compartment interior. There is a compartment for a cleaning brush, the pistol and a square compartment which contains the lower portion of an ammunition box containing 10 brass casings and 2 8mm rounds.

Excellent. The pistol retains 95% of the bright original blue finish with some flaking on the barrel and frame and some thinning to a smooth gray on the front of the frame. The exposed areas on the barrel and frame side have a smooth brown patina. The gold and engraving is crisp and clear. Virtually all of the original bright case colors remain with some very light spotting. The grip pad is excellent with only light handling marks. The case is very good with some flaking of the exterior covering and some edge and corner wear. The satin lining in the lid shows some separating near the hinge and some wear from contact with the pistol. There is some fraying to the edging around the compartment and some minor stains and wear on the velvet. This is one of the finest Gaulois palm pistols RIAC has ever offered!