Unknown precussion pistol with half octagonal / half round barrel

[DougO]

Any help on identifying this percussion pistol would be appreciated. It has an 'R C' and 'LF' stamps on the bottom of the barrel.

 

[DougO]

Any thoughts even on country of origin, time period, value, etc. would be appreciated.

 

[Sam squanch]

Continental Europe, from 1830s to 1860s? Looks French to me!

 

[Notchy Bob]

Continental Europe, from 1830s to 1860s? Looks French to me!

I would agree with @Sam squanch . I don't know enough about them to identify the specific gunsmith who made it, though. I will look forward to reading what others have to say about it.

Notchy Bob

 

[DougO]

Thank you Sam and Bob. I look forward to hearing what others have to say.

 

[steved]

I also agree that it looks to be a French pistol, possibly one of a pair of dueling pistols. I recently got to inspect a nice pair of French dueling pistols that were very similar in design, with the same shaped handle and carving on the front of the stock.

 

[SDSmlf]

Always have to ask, have you confirmed it’s not loaded? Personally, have been surprised too many times.

 

[Artificer]

Not so sure it is a dueling pistol because of the adjustable rear sight. Looks to me like a "Gallery" or "Target" pistol.

Gus

 

[Relic shooter]

Most members paging in are on target as I don't ever recall owning a set of numbered target pistols & most also feature set-triggers as well.
The style of your numbered ornate pistol with the fluted grip was likely part of an ornate set of French duelers being it has the number 2 on the tang & is likely rifled.
Below are two French pistols in my collection of shooters. The top pistol is a French dueler in .53 cal. with rifled bore & the lower pistol that resembles yours is in a military caliber of .70 cal. with rifled bore with a lanyard ring. This pistol was a special order made for an officer so he could shoot standard military round balls & get better range accuracy with the rifled bore.

 

[nhmoose]

Needs a pic of the whole pistol from the side without the barrel being cut off.

Better pics will get better info.

 

[Rudall]

Not so sure it is a dueling pistol because of the adjustable rear sight.

I don’t think that is an adjustable rear sight.
Right in front of the sight is a gold ‘2’, meaning number 2 of a pair. Therefore a dueller.

 

[Sam squanch]

These were target pistols. Dueling was very frowned upon at that time in Europe, too many talented officers were being killed!

 

[PathfinderNC]

Have to say that is definitely the strangest barrel I ever have seen!!!

 

[cal.43]

there is a two on the tang, imho that was the second pistol of a pair.

 

[Grenadier1758]

A cased pair is as likely as dueling pistols. Far too often a cased pair of pistols is identified as a pair of dueling pistols when they are not.

 

[user 48679]

IMO, it looks a lot like this .52 Renette Gastinne pistol