French tip-down target pistol, circa 1870 - 1880,
caliber .22 short, heavy 8" octagonal barrel with dovetail front sight and 2 notched blade-rear sights. Under barrel is a stamp, which unfortunately I can't identify. No proof stamps - therefore not Belgian or British. The barrel shows more than 90% original bright blue, the receiver kept in the white and nicely engraved, typical 1860's French channeled and varnished grips like those on dueling pistols. The trigger outside the guard is to tip down the barrel for loading. (tag 1112)
The rare pistol is in excellent condition and in good working order.     $1,500.