Original French Cased Pair of Percussion Pistols by LePage of Paris with Accessories – Circa 1840 Original Items

Original items: One of a Kind Cased Set. Well these are really quite nice. These came out of the attic in the large Gun Collection we just acquired. The wood case measures 15″ X 8″ X 3″ and has a brass carry handle in the center of the lid. The lock has been removed and obviously there is no key remaining. The interior, divided into compartments is lined with old green felt type material and contains various accessories. In addition to the pair of pistols there is a brass powder flask of English style, an iron ring heads cleaning rod and for some reason a small horn powder horn, clearly old but missing its plug. There are two lidded compartments, one containing a mass of round lead balls and the other a small quantity of Percussion caps that look fairly new and contained in a modern tin.

The pistols themselves have octagonal 6 1/2″ barrels, each fitted with a back sight. The stock wood appears to be French Walnut and the percussion locks are known as “back action”. The locks, hammers trigger guards and butt caps are all iron a decorated floral type engravings. Both ram rods appear to be later light wood replacements. The wood grips are checkered, and have very nice butt caps. The top of each barrel is marked: LEPAGE À PARIS, and the left side of each pistol is also stamped 642 / S in the wood under the finish.

The brass flask looks British and we suspect is a period replacement in that it is too large for the compartment intended to hold it.

The Set is honest, marketed by a very well known French Maker, but not of that Maker’s most upmarket work. The cap nipples have been replaced with modern machined versions, and there are a few condition issues and small issues with the wood. One of the pistols does not hold properly at half cock, and has a sliver of wood missing just above the lock plate. Both have some wood cracking at the forward edge of the lock, a common issue.

In very presentable and nice condition, dating to around 1840, a good set of self defense percussion pistols, ready to display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1840
Caliber: 12mm / .47″ pistol
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 6 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 11 3/4 inches
Action: back action Percussion
Feed System: Single Shot

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