GILLET & DUCHE, à TULLE, vers 1780

Pair of naval officers' flintlock pistols. Round-bodied locks, signed and located, with signature "DUCHE" under the spring, and with round-bodied swan-necked hammers. Round barrels, ringed, then with sides towards the thunder, engraved of stylized flowers and shells with flashes and gilded highlights. One still blued. Smooth. Cal. 15 mm. Walnut shafts carved with scrolled leaves, with grooved stocks ending in a dogfish head. Cut iron fittings, such as trigger guard, trigger guard flange ending in a nasturtium to hold the barrels and reinforcing flange on the top of the stock, counterplate and long belt hook. Length of the barrel: 14.8 cm - Total length: 26 cm. Without ramrod. Failed springs, because no return of the hammers. Wear, scratches and a few shocks; a few cracks and chips to the wood; a broken barrel under the lock of one gun, a hammer muzzle glued back on the other gun; wear to the patina of one barrel, the other one without patina, oxidized, showing points of corrosion to the thunderbolt side. DUCHE (or DUCHET) is referenced as a fitter at the Manufacture Royale de Tulle during the Revolution, in 1792. Pierre-Joseph GILLET (or GILET), active from 1780 to 1803, controller for the mounting and the plates at the Royal Manufacture of Tulle in 1790. He is known to have worked with DUCHE, as proven by our pair of pistols. These fitters were often supplied with guns by the gunmaker of DASAGA (or DEJAGUAT) active from 1780 to 1810.