JEAN LE PAGE gunsmithing manufactory, Officer's pistol, cap pistol

Damast steel, walnut wood, silver; overall length 36 cm.
France, 2nd third of the 19th century.
Eight-barrelled, steel barrel; walnut wood bed, short, with a flask incised in a diagonal checkered pattern in the grip area. Cap-shaped lock, with a cock decorated with engraved floral vicia; similarly decorated trigger-tongue cover, so-called counter-blade and flask fittings. On the breech plate the inscription: "LEPAGE A PARIS" and ornaments - a shell and a sun. On the back of the flask applied silver shield - a place for the owner's monogram or coat of arms.
The family-owned gunsmithing manufactory, Le Page, was famous in France from the 2nd half of the 18th century for making luxury firearms.
From 1792 to 1854, Jean Le Page was a royal gun builder: first during the reign of Louis XVI, then Napoleon Bonaparte, and later Louis XVIII. Polish aristocracy and nobility were also clients. Polish collections included a rifle given by Emperor Napoleon to Vincent Krasinski for his charge at Somosierra.