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LOT 320
Cased Pair of 1852 Dated Engraved and
Gold Inlaid Devisme Percussion Pistols
with Relief Carved Stocks -A) Devisme
Dueling Pistol - Serial no. 1074, 50 cal., 9
1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/gold/French
gray finish, ebony stock. Jean-Louis Francois
Devisme’s shop was among the most
accomplished producers of artistic firearms
for the elite in France and beyond in the 19th
century. He earned an Honorable Mention at
the French Industrial Exposition of 1834, silver
medals at the exhibitions in 1839 and 1841,
and numerous other awards at the World’s
Fairs in the 1840s to 1860s. These pistols were
built the same year Devisme crafted a pair of
pinfire pistols for Napoleon III and was also
the same year Napoleon became emperor.
These pistols feature extensive and elaborate
floral scroll engraving, inlays, and carving. The
barrels have ten-groove round bottom rifling,
post front sights on thin dovetailed bases,
“Devisme a Paris” in gold inlay on the top flats,
gold inlaid scrolls and bands, and “DEVISME
A PARIS No 1074 - 1852” marked on the
bottoms at the breech. The bottom of barrel
“B” also has a “1” ahead of the staple. The locks
have “DEVISME A PARIS” under the hammers,
stepped tails, and “DEVISME 1074” inside
above the mainsprings. The serial number is
also repeated on the breech hooks and barrel
keys. The stocks are cut from beautiful dark
ebony with some subtle brown tones and
have incised, relief carved, interlaced scroll
patterns and blank wrist escutcheons. The case
has “26 BOULEVART DES ITALIENS/DEVISME/
ARQUEBUSIER BREVETE” in gold lettering
inside the lid, wine colored interior lining, and
fitted compartments for the pistols and a set
of coordinating loading and maintenance
equipment. The bullet mold is engraved.
CONDITION: Very fine with 80% original
high polish blue finish, brown patina where
the finish has flaked, 90% plus original gold
inlay, mostly French gray/gray patina on the
remaining metal components, some light
oxidation, crisp engraving, and mild overall
wear mainly from age and storage. The stock is
also very fine and has crisp carving, attractive
dark coloration, a thin crack on the left side
of the forend, and some light scratches and
dings. Mechanically fine. The case is fine. The
exterior has some cracks, flakes, and small
pieces absent. The metal inlays on the lid
are absent but included. The right hinge is
detached from the bottom of the case. The
interior has mostly mild contact wear and an
absent lid for the lower right compartment.
The accessories are also fine and have minor
storage wear. B) Devisme Dueling Pistol -
Serial no. 1074, 50 cal., 9 1/2 inch octagon bbl.,
blue/gold/French gray finish, ebony stock. As
described in “A.”
CONDITION: Very fine with 85% of the original
high polish blue finish remaining, brown
patina where the finish has flaked, 90% plus
original gold inlay, crisp engraving, mostly a
blend of French gray and gray patina on the
remaining metal components, light oxidation,
and general mild overall wear from age and
storage. The stock is also very fine and has
crisp carving, attractive dark coloration, a few
minor cracks in the toe section, and the usual
light scratches and dings for a well-maintained
weapon of this age. Mechanically fine. This is
a very attractive pair of pistols by one of Paris’
premier armsmakers in the mid-19th century.
Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection,
Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500