France - Duc à Paris, fournisseur exclusif de la garde imperiale et de la garde royale - Arme d'appoint - arme de ceinture d'officier de la garde royale - Percussion - one of the very first percussion weapons - 14 mm

Belt pistol circa 1820, DUC signature. The same signature is on the sabre of an officer of the royal guard of the Boutet memorial (sabre and signature visible on their website) . DUC, rue St Honoré n°251 in Paris, gunsmith and furbisher of the Imperial Guard and then the Royal Guard. The weapon was bought personally by an officer of the royal guard to slide it onto the belt. It is for military use, simple, functional, secure, robust. It is one of the very first percussion pistols: the lock is still shaped like flint plates and the percussion cap features the strange and archaic side orifice, aimed to sweep/unblock the firing channel. This device was very quickly abandoned, it was totally useless. The weapon is in excellent condition, with a beautiful barrel made of grey damascus. The lock works perfectly, the weapon will be in firing condition after a deeper cleaning of the barrel interior. Simple, robust, reliable, decorative, with a prestigious origin.