A cased pair of French percussion pistols made around the 1850s, 44 caliber, each with a 9 1/2-inch barrel. The stocks are ebony and nicely carved. The supplier calls the pair excellent overall but notes that one pistol is stronger than the other: the better one keeps almost all of its barrel finish, while the second shows flaking and rates roughly 60 percent of the original blue.

The pistols sit in a case lined in lilac velvet with their accessories, which the supplier describes as very fine; one small piece is missing from the top left of the case. This is a set for the Illinois collector of antique arms, bought for the case, the carving and the completeness rather than for use. The condition difference between the two pistols is stated plainly and should be read as such: one with near-full finish, one at about 60 percent, both with carved ebony stocks in a fitted case.

Key features

• Pair of French percussion pistols, circa 1850s
• 44 caliber, 9 1/2-inch barrels
• Carved ebony stocks
• One pistol near-full finish, other about 60 percent
• Lilac velvet case, accessories very fine, one piece missing

The cased pair ships to the Illinois FFL dealer you name at checkout, where you complete the transfer before taking the set home.