Pair Of Officer's Pistols, Model 1816, Restoration.

Restoration, Royal Manufacture of Maubeuge First quarter of the 19th century

Steel, walnut, bronze and fannon Total length: 34 cm Length of the cannons: 20 cm Caliber: 17.1 mm

Rare and elegant pair of flint officer pistols of the 1816 model, made under the Restoration by the prestigious Royal Manufacture of Maubeuge.

The short five-sided cannons retain many regulatory markings visible on the sides as well as in the lower part, testifying to a particularly careful official military manufacture. The plates are engraved "Manufacture Royale de Maubeuge" and also bear the punch of the controller Jean Nicaise Compass, identifiable by the crowned "C".

The bronze trims have a beautiful quality of execution, with smooth caps and pennan rods finished with bronze tips. The checkered iron underguards provide a refined contrast with the finely gridded walnut butts, with a hanging handle characteristic of the officer's arms of this period.

The caps bear the initials engraved "GB", probably those of the officer who owns this pair, a particularly interesting detail reinforcing the personal and historical character of the set. This type of nominative marking, frequent on officers' weapons acquired privately under the Restoration, gives this pair an additional presence as well as a real collection interest.

The whole, homogeneous and perfectly balanced, is distinguished by its excellent state of conservation as well as by the presence of its original baguettes. This pair elegantly illustrates the transition between Napoleonic arms and the productions of the French Restoration.

Officer's pistols of this quality, preserved in pairs and in such a satisfactory condition, are now particularly sought after by both French regulatory weapons collectors and 19th century fans of ceremonial weapons.

State: Very good state of conservation. Mechanisms present. Beautiful general patina.

Estimate of the pair: 5,500 – 6,000 euros

Possibility of separate sale: 2,800 euros each.