French officer's percussion pistol, circa 1845-50. Caliber: 18 mm. Heavy octagonal eight inch long barrel with faint damascus pattern and deeply rifled bore. Overall length is fourteen inch. Complete with the swivel ramrod. Hook breech. Engraved lockplate signed "Vasselon a Marseille" (listed as c. 1845). No other markings are present on the pistol. Engraved steel mounts. Steel front and rear sights. Very nice stock with diamond checkering. The pistol was manufactured without a lanyard ring. Nicely engraved hammer, lockplate, barrel tang, steel butt, counter screw and trigger guard. Excellent quality of machining and metal finish! The pistol was manufactured at the time of French colonial expansion into North Africa. The campaign revealed a need for more powerful and more accurate firearms. CONDITION: Fine. The finish is turning to uniform gray patina. The barrel shows some small handling marks. No pitting. Lock works fine. The bore is in excellent condition with nice, deep polygroove rifling. The percussion nipple is in excellent condition. Nice, solid stock with some minor handling marks. The diamond checkering on the stock is nicely preserved, with just a couple of minor handling marks. No cracks in wood. The markings on the lockplate are clearly visible. The engraving on steel parts is also nicely preserved. The pistol is in all original condition with no repairs. Careful cleaning of steel parts would greatly improve the pistol condition. Nice example of French officer's percussion pistol!
