This elaborate pistol was made by French gunmaker Vigniat of Marseille c. 1800-1810 for export to the Ottoman market. The cannon style barrel has a blade front sight, martial and Ottoman themed engraving on the foresection, chiseled flowers on the breech section, rear sight groove at the breech, and engraved tang with gold background. The lock is signed "VIGNIAT" at center and "A MARSEILLE" at the edge under the frizzen spring and has raised relief martial patterns and incised scroll engraving with gilt backgrounds and a gold lined rainproof pan. The furniture is gilt silver (vermeil) with case and engraved floral, martial, and Ottoman themed patterns. The trigger guard has hallmarks. The stock also has silver wire inlaid scroll patterns with floral blooms, floral carving at the end of the flats, and shell carving at the barrel tang. Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr

Fine. The lock and barrel have gray patina and some mild oxidation. The lock retains strong gold in the deep relief chiseled backgrounds while the barrel has traces. The furniture retains 70% original gilding and has natural aged patina on the balance, some added pins on the stirrups and trigger guard tang, and some dings and scratches. The stock is also fine and has some slivers of wire inlay absent, distinct carving, a small chip at the forend tip, and scattered minor dings and scratches. Mechanically fine.