Historic Pistols Linked with Napoleon's Attempted Suicide

In Napoleon ’s possession until 1814, these pistols, still in excellent original condition, are signed “Gosset Fecit” (Gosset Made This) on the barrels and inside the lockplates, like true works of art. Here the arquebusier demonstrates the extent of his talents: the pistol numbered “1” has a short stock and a Damascus twist barrel, while no. “2”, with a long stock, is in straight Damascus steel. Their calibers are slightly different. The tiger walnut mounts are decorated with carved ebony insets, the steel fittings are meticulously engraved, and the guns have numerous gilt inlay decorations. Divinities, a centaur, a devil, a mermaid, cherubs and satyrs rub shoulders with a squirrel, a swan, dragons, an elephant, a crayfish, lions, a horse, an insect, goats, a crocodile, fish, owls and even a llama under a tree, a decorative work designed to amaze. The refinement extends to the case, whose burr or burl walnut-veneered interior is cut out to hold the weapons and their accessories, while the lid is lined in green velvet. A masterful piece of craftsmanship never seen before in the history of gunsmithing: a hypothesis that would explain why Napoleon owned this extraordinary…