Page 258 - 4093-BOOK1

LOT 254
Documented Highly Ornate Pair of Engraved, Gold Accented, Silver Wire and Floral Inlaid, and Relief Carved
French Flintlock Officers Pistols with Bird Head Pommels by Cuillieron of St. Etienne -A) Cuillieron Officer
Pistol - NSN, 65 cal., 8 inch round bbl., bright/gold finish, walnut stock. These pistols date towards the end of the
18th century, but the Cuillieron/Cuilleron family of gunmakers were active in St. Etienne from the late 17th century
through the 18th century. The pistols feature .65 caliber rifled barrels with relief martial trophy designs at the breech
ends with gilt backgrounds. There are no provisions for a front sight. The rounded locks are signed “CUILLIERON/A ST
ETIENNE” in ornate script and feature frizzen spring rollers, guttered brass priming pans, and some engraving with
gilt backgrounds. The furniture likewise is engraved and features some gild backgrounds. Among the designs are lion
masks on underside of the barrel bands and bird’s head designs on the pommels. The stocks also feature raised relief
carving and silver wavy line and floral inlays. One of these pistols is illustrated as item 724 on Plate 29 of “Half Century
Scrapbook of Vari-Type Firearms Based on the Pictorial and Descriptive Catalog of the Frank E. Bivens, Jr., Inspirational
Collection of Varitype Firearms and Accessories” by F. Theodore Dexter and described on page 68 (incorrect
marking listed).
CONDITION: Fine with silver-gray patina, light pitting, fading gilding in the backgrounds, and mild wear. The stock
is very fine and has crisp carving, mild scratches and dings, and aged patina on the silver inlays. Mechanically fine.
B) Cuillieron Officer Pistol - NSN, 65 cal., 8 inch round bbl.,
bright/gold finish, walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Fine with silver-gray patina, mostly strong
gilding in the backgrounds, some faint pitting, and mild
wear. The stock is very fine and has crisp carving, mild
scratches and dings, and aged patina on the silver inlays.
Mechanically fine. Overall, this is a very attractive pair of
French officer’s pistols from the late 19th century. Pistols
like this would have been carried by French officers fighting
alongside Napoleon during his dramatic campaigns.
Provenance: The Frank E. Bivens, Jr., Collection;
Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000
AS PICTURED IN THE BOOK HALF CENTURY
SCRAPBOOK OF VARI-TYPE FIREARMS BY DEXTER
256