DRAGON HEAD PISTOL, model 1777 known as "chest", first type, Former Monarchy. 24976

DRAGON HEAD PISTOL, model 1777 known as "chest", first type, Former Monarchy. 24976

Walnut frame, wood dated “1782” marked with a difficult to read inscription “... nvier”; trigger guard, brass cap with eagle's beak and cast brass chest engraved with the name of the Saint Etienne Manufacture with a crowned "L" of Étienne Lambert, controller from 1777 to 1784. Iron handle flange. Steel belt hook.
Flintlock, special arrangement of chest pistols, only the hammer, the basin, the battery and its spring are similar to these parts of the rifle lock. The entire mechanism is placed inside the cast brass chest which receives the thunder of the cannon and which extends backwards under the butt forming an escutcheon. Spring wand head in the shape of a rounded nail. Hallmarked cap of controller Javelle Jean Baptiste.
Round barrel with thunder flat, the square tail of the breech abuts against the grip flange. Barrel length 19 cm, with breech tail 21.5 cm.

Total gun length 35 cm.
Caliber 17.1 mm.

France.
Ancient Monarchy.
Very good condition, slight oxidation of the barrel.