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Lot 206:Cased Pair of Arlot of Paris Flintlock Officer's Pistols

August 26th, 2022|Rock Island, IL

Lot 206:Cased Pair of Arlot of Paris Flintlock Officer's Pistols

August 26th, 2022|Rock Island, IL

Price Realized:

Estimated Price$14,000 - $22,500

A) Arlot Flintlock Pistol

Jean Arlot of Paris was active c. 1780 to 1818 and was a gunmaker to King Louis XVI before the French Revolution. This pistol bears the influence of Boutet and other artisans of the French Empire period under Napoleon in the early 1800s but also retains much of the floral attributes popular under the Ancien Regime. These "carbine bore" (.65 caliber) pistols have "micro-groove" rifling, gold inlaid lightning bolts around the silver blade front sights, inlaid arrows along the top flats (appear bronze), "ARLOT" (upper left) and "A PARIS" (upper right) in gold towards the breech ends, and gold panels, vases, flowers, and fruit at the breech ends. The standing breeches have entwining borders, floral patterns, and two-leaf rear sights. The locks are signed "ARLOT/A PARIS" and have floral and border engraving, nicely sculpted components, and rounded teats at the tails. The pistols have adjustable single set triggers. The furniture is all bright iron and is decorated with floral patterns. The full-length stocks have finely checkered wrists with carved borders. The fitted case has highly figured veneer on the exterior, red and black leather interior with some gilt borders, and a suite of accessories, including an engraved ball mold, ornate powder flask with ball compartment, and more.

ConditionFine with period refinished blue finish, mostly bright lock and furniture with some faint patination, some spots of minor wear and oxidation, and generally only faint age and storage related wear. The gold inlay is bright. The refinished stock is also fine and has crisp checkering, a few very minor light scratches and rub marks, slightly loose pommel cap, and minor dings. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good and has some slighting warping of the lid, small spots of flaking, discoloration and contact wear on the lining, and one of the case compartment lids absent. The accessories are very fine with minor age and storage related wear such as darker patina forming on the undersides where they have remained in contact with the case.

Details

ManufacturerFrench

ModelFlintlock

TypePistol

ClassAntique

Caliber / Gauge65

Barrel7 3/8 inch octagon

Finishblue/gold/bright

Stockwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL

Catalog page207

B) Arlot Flintlock Pistol

See "A." Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr

ConditionVery fine with 75% plus period refinished blue finish with some fading, bright gold inlay, mostly bright furniture with areas of minor patination, some spots of light oxidation, minor pitting to the left of the muzzle, and generally only minor age and storage related wear. The stock is fine and has a repaired crack below the tail of the lock, a tiny chip at the forend tip on the right, faint tension crack on the left at the breech, hairline crack on the left above the trigger guard, crisp checkering, and mild overall wear. Mechanically excellent. This is a very attractive cased set from the late flintlock era by a French royal gunmaker.