Original French Pistol

Product Description

An exquisite pistol by Boulanger (circa 1762-1784), a well-documented maker, who served as the auditor at Charleville and the worker inspector. In 1763 he was the Controller of the Castle at St. Etienne. Round, .62 cal. smoothbore barrel with flattened sides at the breech. Gilded and chased designs of geometrics and florals, a panoply of arms at rear, and spider at the front sight blade. Original ramrod with slot at rear for patches. Flat lock with a faceted and bridled pan signed “Boulanger St. Etienne”, gooseneck cock, and slightly stepped at rear, with light floral engraving. Sideplate with light engraving. Wrist with elaborate relief floral scroll carving around the tang, which is repeated ahead of the trigger guard finial, an elaborate urn with florals. Buttcap with stirrups and silver pommel cap with a panoply of arms. Barrel has an even mixture of original bluing and brown toning. Gilt is strong, with some thinning. Stock is very good, lightly cleaned, with softening to carving throughout, with scattered handling marks and impressions. A couple spots of wood fill are about the sideplate. Mechanically fine, bore with some areas of oxidation. A very attractive French pistol from the Revolutionary War period.