A splendid ivory stocked percussion pistol
France, circa 1840.  Octagonal barrel becoming sixteen sided with patent breechblock and a ten groove rifled bore in cal. 11.5mm. Barrel and tang have richly gold inlaid scroll and leaf decoration, the tang is numbered "2". Lock and cock have gold inlaid vine decoration with grotesque masks. Ivory half stock with engraved and inked decoration. The trigger guard has a lion's head carved in relief in front of gold inlaid initials BM. The pommel cap and furniture are richly inlaid with en suite decoration. Length 40.5cm. Untouched condition. The metal pieces are slightly coated with rust in some places. The ivory stock shows some staining in spots and slight expansion cracks as common for antique ivory. Very attractive and scarce, probably # 2 of a pair of dueling pistols.     sold

information from the new owner:
After disassembling the barrel it's confirmed the pistol is from Nicolas Bernimolin to be active in Belgium from 1843 to 1851. It  is typically French "second Empire" type.

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