The inside of the case lid has "MATHES HENRI/ARQUEBUSIER BTE/BARD ST DENIS 7/PARIS" in gold lettering giving their address and suggesting one of the brothers was Henri Mathes. Unfortunately, little else is known about the brothers. However, a few other display pieces with their markings from the 1878 exhibition are known, including the revolver featured on page 12 of "Steel Canvas" by R.L. Wilson, and double barrel shotguns, including one identified as owned by the Mexican president. The Exposition Universelle in 1878 was the third World's Fair held in Paris and followed the famous Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia that celebrated the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. The Exposition Universelle ran from May 1 to November 10 and sold over 13 million tickets. Visitors took the opportunity to view exhibitions of fine art, new technology, and various cultures. For Americans, one of the most important pieces was the head of the Statue of Liberty. In basic form, the pistols are classic mid-to-late 19th century French dueling pistols, but the extensive artistry certainly is far from ordinary. The rifled barrels have dovetailed front sights, fluted mid-sections, and elaborate floral and scroll engraving with gilt accents as well as a winged feline beast with horns on the breech section possibly representing the tiger associated with Dionysus. The underside of the barrels have a kidney shaped "MATHES" maker's mark over "ACIER FONDU" along with "11.0" and Liege provisional proofs. "AI" is stamped inside the forends. The locks have "MATHES FRERES BTES A PARIS." in gold inlay under the hammers, sculpted and pierced leaf design on the hammers, and scroll engraving with a lion mask and a griffin. The spurred trigger guards have pierced scrollwork, scroll engraving, gold inlaid borders, and "EXPOSITION/UNIVERSELLE/PARIS. 1878." in gold inlay. The pommel caps have further scroll engraving with gold inlaid borders, lion masks, and sculpted floral finials. The stocks feature full-coverage relief floral scroll carving with interlacing patterns and bestial masks. The pair comes in an fitted case with the noted marking inside the lid, vibrant purple lining, loading and cleaning rods, a nipple wrench, screwdriver, turned containers, powder flask, small measure, double cavity ball mold, mallet, oiler, brushes, and a key.

Exceptionally fine with only minor age and storage relate wear including some very minor oxidation. The stock is excellent and has crisp carving and minimal light handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. The case exterior has some separating cracks and chips, but the case interior and accessories are very fine and have only minor age and storage related wear like the pistols.

See "A." Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Exceptionally fine with only minor age and storage relate wear including some isolated spots of very minor surface oxidation and a small piece of the tail of the hammer absent. The stock is excellent and has crisp carving, very light flakes at the edges of the lock, and minimal light handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. This is an incredible pair of pistols. Multiple talented artists clearly performed exceptionally on these steel and ebony canvases to create these outstanding works of art.