A matched pair of deluxe French flintlock pistols with locks signed Henry à Vesoul, from the Franche-Comté town of Vesoul and dated by the listing to the Louis XV period in the second half of the 18th century. They were made as part of a larger garniture, said by tradition to have had a matching long gun. The walnut stocks are carved in deep rococo scrolls and floral relief work across the fore-stocks, grips and tang areas.

The steel mounts are chiseled and damascened in gold with scrolls and classical motifs; trigger guards, butt caps, side plates and barrel tangs are sculpted and gilt. Each oval butt cap holds a gold-ground portrait medallion of a male figure in classical profile, a device found on presentation arms made for the high nobility and royalty of the time. These are display and study pieces for a Montana collector; they are still handguns at the counter, so expect Form 4473, photo ID and a NICS check at the dealer.

Key features

• Matched pair, locks signed Henry à Vesoul
• Louis XV period, from a garniture set
• Carved walnut stocks, rococo scrollwork
• Gold-damascened chiseled steel mounts
• Gold-ground portrait medallions on butt caps

The pair ships to the Montana FFL dealer you name, and you pick them up there with current photo ID.