Information on E. Pertuiset is difficult to find, but records indicate that he was a weapons inventor active in the immediate post-Civil War era and was most noted for creating explosive fillers for small arms projectiles; reportedly the Russian use of this invention led to the Saint Petersburg Declaration of 1868 banning exploding shells of less than 400 grams. Dovetailed blade front sight, with a light border engraving at the muzzle accented with alternating gold and silver inlaid beads, with fine floral scroll work on multiple components, "ACIER FONDU" (cast steel) on the left side of the barrel lug among floral scroll engraving, "E. PERTUISET a PARIS" on the right barrel flat, and silver wire inlay on the top strap. Further scroll engraving is present on the frame, with the cylinder decorated with a mix of engraving, gold and silver bead inlays and gold washed border lines. Fitted with a pair of smooth grips with engraved escutcheons and a lanyard swivel. Provenance: Gillespie collection.

Very fine, with 70% of the bright original high polish blue finish, showing areas of brown patina, spotting, and mild handling marks. Some of the bead and wire gold inlays have been lost, and the gold inlay shows wear appropriate to age. The grips are also very fine, with a few light scuffs and an attractive color and grain. Mechanically excellent.