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an old pair of pistols in a wooden case on a white backgrounda wooden box with a bunch of different tools inside of itblack and white photo of a man and a woman standing next to a dog
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29 - A TOUCHING SET OF OFFICERS’ PISTOLS THAT BELONGED TO SAINT C…
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Estimate €6,000 - €8,000
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Description
A TOUCHING SET OF OFFICERS’ PISTOLS THAT BELONGED TO SAINT CHARLES DE FOUCAULD (1853–1916), ORIGINALLY OWNED BY HIS FATHER, ÉDOUARD Made of varnished walnut, the lid decorated with mouldings and a brass shield monogrammed ‘EF’, lined with wine-coloured velvet, shaped, with two compartments (with minor blemishes); it contains: - A pair of percussion-cap officer’s pistols. Flared barrels, rifled, blued, engraved ‘CANON D’ACIER FIN’. Barrels and breech caps with rear sights engraved with foliage motifs, numbered in gold ‘1’ and ‘2’. Flat-bodied hammers and firing pins engraved with foliage scrolls. Triggers with sensitivity screws. Firing pins and caps with faceted sides, engraved with continuous foliage motifs. Stocks in marbled, carved walnut. Length: 42 cm - With accessories: barrel-removal screwdriver (jammed); ramrod and cleaning rod; primer box; oil can; copper and brass powder bulb with lattice decoration; rammer; bullet mould with spout and powder measure. Made circa 1860, used by the Saint, then an officer, circa 1880–1900 Key missing; minor wear to the bluing and wood H.: 8 cm W.: 46 cm D.: 25 cm Related item: Charles de Foucauld’s cavalry officer’s sabre, from the collections of the Musée de la Cavalerie in Saumur, bearing his crowned monogram. According to the 1971 auction catalogue entry, the sabre and the pistol case are from the same provenance. A poignant cased pair of Saint Charles de Foucauld’s officer’s pistols Provenance: - Saint Charles de Foucauld (1853–1916), from his father, Édouard de Foucauld (1820–1864), whose initials appear on the lid; - Rear Admiral Charles de Blic (1887–1965), nephew of Charles de Foucauld, according to the 1971 auction catalogue; - Hôtel Drouot auction, conducted by Maître Pechon, on 3 and 4 June 1971, lot no. 263, with this provenance. Attached is an extract from a certificate by Robert Johnson, an expert, confirming the provenance.
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Auction location
Auction time 11/03/2026 at 11:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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