French Flintlock Pistol With A Flared Barrel And Metal Wire Inlays, Circa 1800

Welcome to my shop.

A charming little French flintlock pistol, dating from around 1800. Its short iron barrel, with fluted sides, extends into a rounded section adorned with moldings and ends in a flared muzzle. The strongly curved grip gives it an elegant and distinctive silhouette.

The wooden frame is decorated with inlays of wavy metal wire. Metal rosettes shaped like flowers surrounding the mounting screws and an elegantly shaped trigger guard complete its decoration. A short rod is located beneath the barrel; I am unable to remove it.

The left side of the barrel bears a hallmark consisting of the letters A and C on either side of two crossed palms, likely associated with the civilian proof mark for barrels from Saint-Étienne.

This hallmark is examined by Jean-Louis Gillier in his article “Les poinçons d’épreuve sur les armes civiles à St Etienne depuis 1782” (“Hallmarks on Civil Firearms in Saint-Étienne since 1782”), published in the *Gazette des Armes*, No. 524. The author proposes a period of use around 1797–1809 and suggests that the letters A and C stand for “Armes du Commerce” (Commercial Arms). This interpretation and dating are presented as research hypotheses. The hallmark thus provides an interesting clue regarding the pistol’s origin and date, though it does not allow for the identification of the manufacturer.

The article, featuring an illustration of the hallmark on page 2, can be viewed here.

Condition: the trigger mechanism is functional. The hammer shows signs of an old repair. The metal parts show pitting and signs of age. The wood shows signs of wear and a small scratch, but no cracks. The photographs are an integral part of the description. The fact that the lock mechanism functions does not guarantee that the pistol is suitable for firing.

Dimensions and weight:
Overall length: 20.5 cm
Height: 11.3 cm
Barrel length: 9.3 cm
Inner diameter at the muzzle: approximately 16 mm
Weight: 355 grams

A beautiful antique collector’s item, combining a decorative finish with an interesting French hallmark.

Thank you for visiting my shop. Best regards, Ben.

Keywords: antique flintlock pistol, French pistol, pocket pistol, travel pistol, blunderbuss, circa 1800, Saint-Étienne, crossed palms, AC hallmark, wire inlays, antique firearms.