DESCRIPTION: Beautiful, elaborately decorated French Flobert single shot parlor pistols with an original hardwood case. Caliber: 9 mm Flobert (upper pistol) and 4 mm Flobert (lower pistol). The latter displays the gun maker address, "Zaoué, Fab-t D'Armes B-te S.G.D.G. Entrepot, Marseille". Circa 1860. George Zaoué was the arms manufacturer and retailer in Marseilles, France from 1841 to approximately 1861. The pistol set is of the highest quality. The two pistols are in different calibers. The upper pistol is in 9 mm Flobert caliber. The lower pistol is in 4 mm Flobert caliber. Parlor pistols came into fashion in the mid-19th century. They typically featured heavy barrels and were chambered in a small caliber. They were used for target shooting in large homes with, a dedicated for this purpose parlor, or a gallery. The pistols feature exceptional quality barrels with beautiful, high gloss blue finish and gold plated decorative scroll (please, see pictures). The steel furniture displays high grade engraving in floral motifs. Beautifully polished and finished carved ebony stocks. Steel spur trigger guards. Barrel length: 9 inch. Blade front sights with protective wings and micro-adjustable, target style rear sights (similar to Swiss style sights). Massive silver butts of the hilts. The barrels display beautifully preserved deep rifling. No markings are present on the pistols. Exceptional high quality of machining and metal finish! The pistols come complete with an original hardwood case. The latter has three compartments for ammunition and accessories (not included). Each compartment has a separate cover. CONDITION: Overall in fine+ condition. The fancy engraving on steel parts is clear and crisp. The gold scroll on the barrels is beautifully preserved. About 95% of beautiful high gloss blue is still on the barrels. There are some small spots of gray patina on the barrels. The ebony stocks are in excellent condition with only minor handling marks. Excellent bores with strong and shiny rifling. The lower pistol (in 4 mm Flobert caliber) is missing its front sights. The upper pistol (in 9 mm Flobert caliber) needs a new hammer spring (the spring is cracked and needs to be pressed when cocking the hammer). The hardwood case show some handling marks and scratches. The red velvet lining is fair and showing some wear on points of contact (please, see pictures). The case comes with a lock, but the key is missing. The two cleaning rods that were originally supplied with a case are also missing. The set is in its original, uncleaned & unrestored condition! These pistols have seen only very limited use, and they were probably put in storage for many years. Beautifully preserved early French cartridge pistols with a case! (Shipping is $50 in the continental USA. International shipping is available at the cost). More photos available at request.
