A Senior Officer's Flintlock Pistol, By The Emperor's Arquebusier Page France, 1st Emp.

SUPERIOR OFFICER'S FLINTLOCK PISTOL, BY THE EMPEROR'S ARQUEBUSIER PAGE
France, First Empire, dated 1814
Steel, wood, gold.
Total length: 38cm - Barrel length: 22.5cm - Caliber: 12mm

Octagonal barrel, slightly blunderbuss-shaped, with hairline rifling; dovetailed front sight. Leaf-shaped rings at the muzzle and breech; marked on the left side in a cartouche “LE PAGE A PARIS” (The Page in Paris), on the right side in a cartouche ARQer. DE L'EMPEREUR (Of the Emperor), the upper side bears a gold damascene arrow. Engraved with a rosette on the left, numbered N.1743 on the underside and dated A 1814. Gold flash, L mark to its right.
White polished breech, engraved with bouquet and screws with remnants of blue, numbered N.1743 on the underside and dated 1814; rear sight.
Flat body lock, engraved with a bundle of arms, decorated with a gold badge marked A PARIS, topped with a radiant ram's head and flanked by a laurel wreath.
Swan-neck hammer, engraved in suite. Battery with spring rocker; pan with firebreak.
Trigger guard with stecher; trigger guard with finger rest, engraved with a bundle of weapons, foliage and bouquet. Steel fittings engraved in suite.
Ovoid pommel with cap decorated with a blackened and engraved wooden frieze.
Short walnut stock with finely checkered grip.

Very good condition except for a crack in the frame at the lock. Pistol in its original patina.

Jean LE PAGE, arquebusier to the Emperor. This pistol, dated 1814, illustrates the last models produced before Napoleon I's abdication.

Ref.: LP6818

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

This collector's weapon is classified as a category D collector's weapon under Article L311-2 of the Internal Security Code. It can be freely acquired and possessed. Please note that its sale to minors is prohibited.