A Cased French Pair Of 32-Bore Percussion Target Pistols, By Fatou A Paris, Early 19th Century

Converted from flintlock, with swamped rebrowned polygroove rifled sighted barrels each signed in gold along the sighting flat, long octagonal breeches each with gilt barrelsmith's mark in an oval (Neue Støckel 3089) at the rear above a punched and gilt band, gilt-copper tangs each engraved with foliage, chased with owner's initials 'ED' in gothic letters and with back-sight, signed border engraved flat bevelled locks each decorated with a flaming cornucopia on the tail and with foliate engraved hammer, figured half-stocks each with dark horn fore-end cap and unusually chequered rounded butt, the latter carved and fluted down the back, border engraved gilt-copper mounts comprising circular pommel-caps, winged side-nail plates, foliate engraved spur trigger-guards each with large urn and fruit finial, set triggers, no provision for ramrods, and retaining some original gilding: in their lined and fitted veneered wooden case from the time of conversion with full accessories, the interior of the lid stamped 'BRUN A PARIS' in gilt letters, the exterior of the lid (old splits) with border engraved shield-shaped brass escutcheon with owner's initials 'ED'
21.8 cm. barrels

Provenance
Christie's New York, The Russell B. Aitken Collection..., 4 April 2003, lot 519

Fatou is recorded in Paris between 1796 and 1805, first at 8 rue St. Denis, then at 844 rue du Bac. He competed with and petitioned against Boutet's manufactory at Versailles

Converted and recased by Brun A Paris