^Lot 2417 BEAUTIFUL PAIR OF SILVER MOUNTED POCKET PISTOLS BY

LAROCHE OF PARIS. Cal. 45. S# NSN. Jean Baptiste LaRoche is known to have been working in Paris between 1740-1769. He was gunmaker to the King (Louis XV). Pistols measure 7" overall and have 3-1/2" octagon to round barrels with gold washed foliate engraving. Tiny flint locks with chamfered plates have serpentine cocks, inset facited pans, unbridled friction frizzens and feather springs with bulbous finials. They are engraved with some scroll within line borders. One lockplate is engraved "LaRoche", the other "Paris". Stocks of European walnut have bird's head grips, extend to muzzles and are pinned to barrels. Nicely shaped mouldings are around all elements and relief carved acanthus is behind barrel tangs. Pistols are silver mounted with large relief cast bird's head grip caps, scroll engraved trigger guards with fancy finials and scroll decorated sideplates. French hallmarks are found on sideplates and grip caps. Small horn tipped ramrods mount through slotted thimbles. CONDITION: fine. Barrels are mostly brown and retain a good amount of their original gold. Locks are polished to silver. Stocks have renewed oil finish; one pistol showing extensive repair behind barrel tang and top of grip. Silver is very fine; lightly rubbed. Bores are smooth and shiny. Locks are good and complete. (01-26960/MGM). ANTIQUE. $3,000-5,000.