1214

Exhibition Set of Relief Engraved "Gastinne Renette" French Dueling Pistols with Gold Inlay Ebony St

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:8,000.00 USD Estimated At:16,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
Exhibition Set of Relief Engraved  Gastinne Renette  French Dueling Pistols with Gold Inlay Ebony St
A) This is an exceptional deluxe engraved set of French pistols produced by "Gastinne-Renette" of Paris and are so marked on top of the barrels and again on both lock plates. The makers name and label inside the lid of the case is marked in four lines "GASTINNE-RENETTE/AROB.-ORDINAIRE/de.S.M. L Empereur/A. Paris". Fantastically executed overall with lavishly deep relief engraving on the lock plates, the hammer, the rear of the barrel/breech plug and tangs, the nose caps, the trigger guard, trigger plate, and the buttcaps. Additionally, the trigger guards are both pistols have raised gold monogram "ML" in a script design. The engraving has been exceptionally well laid out and executed, with the deep relief and fine punch dot background being extremely well done, apparently the work of a master. Each pistol is correctly matched and numbered as a set with both pistols carrying the number "1" or "2" on top of each of the breech plugs and tangs. Both pistols are 50 caliber and have a very unique 12 lands and groove rifling twist pattern. The pistols were then stocked in one-piece Ebony wood that is very dark, almost black in color that has also been lavishly deep relief carved in a vine and leaf pattern with a punch dot background for shading. The various accessories that accompany the pistols are made of Ebony and include a mallet for seating the bullets, two cleaning/loading rods, two small round storage box for caps and patches, a very small powder flask that was probably intended to carry enough powder for just a single charge for each pistol, a nipple removal tool and a single round ball mold with a built in sprue cutter. The pistols are housed in a walnut presentation case with French fitted compartments, brass hinges and locks, and a green felt liner/material. Certainly the expert level of engraving and deluxe wood and components that make up this set would indicate it was for Royalty or a government official. It would certainly be worth doing further research on these two beautiful pistols.
BBL: 10 3/4 inch octagon
Stock:
Gauge: 45 percussion
Finish: bright
Grips: ebony
Serial Number: NSN


B) As described in A.
BBL: 10 3/4 inch octagon
Stock:
Gauge: 45 percussion
Finish: blue
Grips: ebony
Serial Number: NSN


A) Very fine overall, the metal is in the white, with slight discoloration in a couple of areas and sections of pitting along the side where the metal contacts the ebony stock on the barrel, lock plate and escutcheon. The excellent stock has only the normal handling marks overall and excellent carving. A very small section of the gold inlay is missing on the one leg of the letter "M". A beautiful super highly engraved set of Exhibition Quality cased dueling pistols.

B) Very fine overall, with mild discoloration and scattered areas of pitting. Some repaired cracks on the stock, with light handling marks and dings. Case is fine overall with a slight crack across the lid, small areas of wood missing on the bottom, front right corner, sagging bottom on the inside and mild wear on the fabric. Accessories are all in excellent condition. A beautiful super highly engraved set of Exhibition Quality cased dueling pistols.