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LOT 3285
Cased Pair of Engraved Faure LePage Retailed Percussion Target/Dueling Pistols -A) Percussion Pistol - Serial no. 3263, 11 mm cal., 9 3/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, relief carved walnut stock. This pair of c. 1870 percussion pistols were made for and sold by Faure LePage in Paris. The famous LePage firm was taken over by Emile Henry Faure LePage in 1868. He had been a partner in LePage Moutier since 1865. The pistols have Liege proofs and are signed “FNI P. FAURE LE PAGE A PARIS” cut through the blue of the rifled barrels which have bead front sights and floral scroll engraved breech plugs numbered “1” and “2.” The standing breeches are also floral scroll engraved and incorporate fixed notch rear sights and additional “1” and “2” markings. The stocks have “3263” to the left at the breech. The locks and furniture also have floral scroll engraving. The stocks have relief carved floral scroll patterns at the forend tips and fluted wrists. The original case has “FAURE LEPAGE/8 RUE DE RICHELIEU/A PARIS” in gold inside the lid. The case contains a mallet, ball mold, screwdriver, flask, rods, and balls. CONDITION: Very fine with 70% plus original bright blue finish, attractive French gray on most of the furniture, some light oxidation, and fairly minor overall wear. The stock is also very fine and has crisp carving and fluting, smooth finish, and some light handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are also very good with some mild age and storage related wear, some repairs to the case, and refinished mold. B) Percussion Pistol - Serial no. 3263, 11 mm cal., 9 3/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, relief carved walnut stock. See “A.” CONDITION: Fine with 50% plus original bright blue finish, some areas on the muzzle section rubbed back to a gray patina, attractive French gray on most of the furniture, some light oxidation, and mild overall wear. The stock is also fine and has crisp carving and fluting, smooth finish, a repair below the bolster, faint crack near the toe, and some light handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 3286
Elaborate Pair of Exhibition Quality Engraved Caron of Paris Percussion Dueling Pistols with Relief Carved Ebony Stocks -A) Caron Dueling Pistol - NSN, 11 mm cal., 10 1/4 inch octagon bbl., casehardened/gold finish, ebony stock. With fluted octagonal rifled barrel with gold inlaid signature “CARON A PARIS ARQ. DE S.M. L’EMPEREUR” running along the top flat, the ends of the flutes each with foliate engraving, that at the breech end being chiseled against a blackened ground. The breech end of the barrel with gold inlaid “1”. Standing breech incorporating the notch rear sight, flat lock with short stepped tail, and furniture all with chiseled scrolling foliage against a matted ground and all with French style matted grey casehardened finish. The spurred trigger guard encloses a blued trigger and has a pierced scrolled leading edge and is inlaid on the bow with a gold monogram. Ebony stock finely carved with panels of foliage terminating in a bag-shaped butt with shaped pommel with turned button finial. CONDITION: Fine. The engraved and relief chiseled ornament is crisp and clear throughout. The barrel has slight age discoloration and is a brighter patina than the remainder of the metal parts which retain the traditional French grey casehardening. The stock is wonderfully carved, ebony being an extremely difficult material to work with. Mechanically excellent. B) Caron Dueling Pistol - NSN, 11 mm cal., 10 1/4 inch octagon bbl., casehardened/gold finish, ebony stock. Of identical form to “A,” the breech end of the barrel numbered “2” in gold. CONDITION: Fine with engraved and relief chiseled ornamentation crisp and distinct overall. The barrel has slight age discoloration and is a brighter than the other metal parts which display the traditional French grey casehardening. The stock is wonderfully carved. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000
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