A CASED PAIR OF 40 BORE FRENCH SILVER-MOUNTED RIFLED PERCUSSION TARGET PISTOLS BY AUGUSTE PLOMDEU

A CASED PAIR OF 40 BORE FRENCH SILVER-MOUNTED RIFLED PERCUSSION TARGET PISTOLS BY AUGUSTE PLOMDEUR, PARIS, SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY with two-stage sighted rifled barrels retaining traces of blued finish, decorated over their surfaces with silver strapwork and stylised foliage and inscribed `AUGTE PLOMDEUR A PARIS`, the breeches decorated with silver pellets and numbered `1` and `2` respectively, engraved tangs decorated with flowers and foliage, flat cocks of shaped outline chiselled with flowers and foliage, the hammers formed and decorated en suite, ebonised full stocks carved with scrollwork in low relief over the fore-ends, moulded about the tangs and over the butts, pressed silver mounts decorated with scrollwork, leafy tendrils and flowers, comprising solid side-plates, spurred pommels with baluster finials, and trigger-guards with broad leaf-shaped terminals, the spine of the butts set with three silver foliate studs, the fore-ends each set on the underside with a green paste in a raised white metal setting, and no provision for ramrods: in a contemporary case, lined in red velvet and complete with some accessories including bullet mould 48cm; 18 7/8in