*CAUCASE, CIRCA 1850-1860 Luxurious superior officer's or dignitary's pistol, of the Cherkessian type. type. Morlaque-style iron lock with gold damascene decoration of foliate scrolls. Round iron barrel with very thin central ridge and very slightly flared muzzle, decorated in gold with lines and fleurons. Cal. 13 mm. The thunderbolt is decorated with a gilded cartouche with Arabic calligraphy. Flower bud trigger tail. Long wooden shaft sheathed in black chagrin with rich gilded and nielloed (min. 800) silver plate fittings decorated with chased fleurons and foliage. Sous-garde, en suite, decorated with cut-out leaves and fleurons. The back of the stock is adorned with an iron ribbon with rich gold damask ornamentation featuring a frieze of flowering quatrefoils, ending in a calligraphic cartouche. Stock ball in marine ivory (walrus) damascened with a frieze of oves and leafy darts in engraved gold thread. Curved pommel, decorated in continuation of the barrel, with ring for the lanyard. Mounting stamped with the Swan in FRANCE. Gross weight: 873 g. - Barrel length: 27.6 cm - Total length: 40.5 cm. Blocked mechanism. As is. Wear, scratches and small dents and some missing decoration; partially missing barrel leather; some cracks to the ivory; oxidation (rust) to the iron parts. The two calligraphic cartouches on the barrel and its thunderhead read "Fait par Moamar El Kobji, forgeron" and "fabriqué pour Haj Bousta". Our thanks to Madame Mona Cloest for these translations.