A very fine pair of French 54 caliber percussion cap dueling pistols with tools and accessories including several lead balls. In very good condition and housed in their original dark purple velvet lined mahogany case with excellent grain and brass detail. The outside of the case bears the name Combal, and initials P.C.
The guns have very good patination with a Damascene finish on the barrels. One of the guns bears the proof mark of Liege, Belgium or d'épreuves de Li Inchesge (ELG). Silver accents on both guns are engraved with flowers and scrollwork, with particularly excellent work under the trigger guard and underside of the gun. Of the accessories, the flask is notable for a scene of a wolf and crane on both sides, likely referring to Aesop's Fable of the same name, where a crane helps a mean and greedy wolf, only to be denied promised payment for the service. Aesop's moral was a warning about expecting rewards for helping those without scruples.
