A beautiful pair of French cavalry officers' M.1833 percussion pistols ("pistolet d'officier de cavalerie Mle. 1833"). Caliber: 17.1 mm. High quality, heavy octagonal barrels of genuine twist, with damascus pattern and polygrove rifled bores (48 groves, "en cheveux" - hair rifling). The barrels' length is 8.75 inch. Overall length of each pistol is fifteen inch. The pistols are complete with ramrods and lanyard rings. If pushed in to engage, the lanyard ring studs will unscrew to reveal compartments (one containing a tool which screws onto ramrod). Original brass-tipped ramrods. Steel trigger guards with finger spurs. Back-action lockplates. Small steel counter-plates. The lockplates are signed, "C. Maillar, Manufacture Royale de Chatellerault". Small typical French poincons appear on several parts. No other markings are present on the pistols. Steel mounts. Steel front and rear sights. Very nicely finished and polished walnut half-stocks with diamond checkering. Steel reinforcing caps on the front part of the stock, and on the butt. Excellent quality of machining and metal finish! CONDITION: Fine. Occasional scattered light patina on the steel parts. The damascus barrel pattern is clearly visible on one pistol, but it is fading on the other pistol (please, see pictures). No pitting. Locks work fine. The bores are in excellent condition with nice, polygroove rifling. The percussion nipples are in excellent condition. Nice, never cleaned, solid stocks with some minor handling marks. The diamond checkering on the stocks is nicely preserved, with just a couple of minor handling marks. No cracks in wood. The markings on the lockplates are clearly visible. The pistols are in all original condition with no repairs. Very nice examples of the finest quality French officers' percussion pistols! (Shipping is: cost plus insurance in the continental USA. International shipping is available at the cost).
