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LOT 246
Exquisite Exposition Universelle Paris 1878 Engraved, Gold Inlaid, Chiseled, and Relief Carved Percussion Dueling Pistols by the Mathes Freres of Paris -A) Mathes Freres Percussion Pistol - NSN, 11 mm cal., 9 3/4 inch fluted octagon bbl., blue/ gold/grey finish, relief carved ebony stock. The inside of the case lid has “MATHES HENRI/ARQUEBUSIER BTE/ BARD ST DENIS 7/PARIS” in gold lettering giving their address and suggesting
one of the brothers was Henri Mathes. Unfortunately, little else is known about the brothers. However, a few other display pieces with their markings
from the 1878 exhibition are known, including the revolver featured on page 12 of “Steel Canvas” by R.L. Wilson, and double barrel shotguns, including one identified as owned by the Mexican president. The Exposition Universelle
in 1878 was the third World’s Fair
held in Paris and followed the famous Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia that celebrated the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. The Exposition Universelle ran from
May 1 to November 10 and sold over
13 million tickets. Visitors took the opportunity to view exhibitions of
fine art, new technology, and various cultures. For Americans, one of the most important pieces was the head of the Statue of Liberty.
In basic form, the pistols are classic mid-to-late 19th century French dueling pistols, but the extensive artistry certainly is far from ordinary. The rifled barrels have dovetailed front sights, fluted mid- sections, and elaborate floral and scroll engraving with gilt accents as well as a winged feline beast with horns on the breech section possibly representing
the tiger associated with Dionysus. The underside of the barrels have a kidney shaped “MATHES” maker’s mark over “ACIER FONDU” along with “11.0” and Liege provisional proofs. “AI” is stamped inside the forends.
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