These incredible ornate pistols may have been manufactured for one of the World's Fairs. Wilhelm Hanau of Gera, Reuss, is listed as displaying a "Pair of pistols for round and pointed balls, with the necessary apparatus, in a case." in the catalog for the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London, the First World's fair, and he likely exhibited pistols at other exhibitions as well. The inside of the case lid has a label with golden "Fürstl. Lobenstein-Ebersdorfischer ect./Hofbuchsenmacher W. Hanau in Gera" markings flanking the coat of arms of the princely House of Reuss, the rulers of Lobenstein-Ebersdorf. The pistols have rifled, etched Damascus barrels with engraved muzzles, gold bands at the muzzles and breeches, dovetailed blade front sights, and "W. HANAU IN GERA" in gold inlay within a silver framed panels. The casehardened breech plugs have sculpted bestial mask bolsters with gold accents, and "1" and "2" respectively on top in gold inlay. The standing breeches have screw adjustable notch rear sights, and engraving featuring a dragonoid beast with disgorging scrollwork and gilt backgrounds and accents. The back action locks have scroll engraving with silver accents and gold backgrounds. The counter plates have additional mask and scroll patterns with gold and silver accents. The spurred trigger guards and pommel caps have additional floral engraving with gold inlaid accent lines. The pistols are equipped with adjustable single set triggers. The half-length stocks have raised relief floral scroll carving at the forend tips and relief scroll carving with disgorging masks and checkering on the wrists. The case contains spare nipples, a screwdriver, a nipple wrench, loading and cleaning rods, a round ball mold, an oiler, a jag, a sight adjustment key, and an adjustable powder measure.

Excellent with only minor age and handling related wear. 95% of the original case colors and blue finish remain. The gold and silver remain bright. The engraving is crisp. The stock is also excellent and has some minor scratches, crisp relief carving, and attractive grain. Mechanically excellent. The case exterior is fine and has moderate wear including some chips and cracks. The case interior is very fine and has mild fading and compression marks. The accessories are also mostly very fine and have minimal age and storage related wear.

See "A."

Excellent with only minor age and handling related wear. 90% plus of the original case colors and 95% of the original blue remain. The gold and silver remain bright. The engraving is crisp. The stock is also excellent and has some minor scratches, crisp relief carving, and attractive grain. Mechanically excellent. This is an extraordinary exhibition grade pair of pistols worthy of even the finest private or institutional collection.