Original 19th Century French Dumouthier Style Double Barrel Percussion 'Bowie' Knife Pistol with Engraved German Silver Grip - Circa 1850

Item DescriptionOriginal Item: One of a Kind. This is something that we have not had the opportunity to offer before! A rare antique Dumouthier Pattern Double Barrel Percussion Knife Pistol, made circa 1850, most likely in France or Belgium. We checked it thoroughly, and there are no markings of any type that we could identify. Our example comes with a clip-point 'Bowie' style blade, however we have seen these with more leaf shaped blades, double edged spear point blades, and others, depending on the desires of the customer who ordered one. These intimidating but beautiful weapons were designed by Joseph-Celestin Dumouthier / Dumonthier of Paris in the mid 19th Century. He was active from 1840 to around 1900 and is listed in period sources as originally from Houdan in Northern France.Bladed pistols had, by that period, already been manufactured for multiple centuries in Europe for use as hunting sidearms used to finish off wounded boars and other game. However, these usually featured much longer blades, which would keep the user farther from the unpredictable wounded animal. Shorter versions like this became more the norm once the Dumouthier design arrived, which made an impressive sidearm for any occasion. These were very streamlined, with the upper sections of the crossguards pulling back to reveal the cap nipple cones, and also serving as the hammers. With lovely workable nickel silver grips, they could be decorated with a wide variety of engraved designs. Some of these fascinating weapons are known to have been given to world leaders, including Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico, which is now in the collections of theArt Institute of Chicago.Our example is fairly standard, featuring a lovely 'Bowie' style clip-point blade and two 3 inch barrels of approximately 0.34' caliber. This is joined to a lovely curved nickel silver grip with lovely acanthus leaf curls on both sides, which are secured together by three screws. Functionally, the knife pistol works well, and we did not notice any mechanical deficiencies. It has a 'hidden' trigger on the right side, which only presents when the right hammer is pulled back. After this it can be used to fire the right side hammer, and then the left hammer can be cocked and used with the trigger. Both hammers can also be pulled back at the same time, and it will fire the right barrel first, and will not fire the left barrel until the trigger returns forward. We also noted that there is no provision for a half-cock position on either side.Condition of the pistol is really lovely, with the engraved German silver grip showing a lovely lightly oxidized patina, and the acanthus leaf engraving is still crisp. The crossguards, hammer, and barrels show a nice peppery oxidized patina, which there is a bit of on the blade as well, however definitely much less. The blade is not very sharp at present, however we assume it was intended more of a stabbing weapon than a slashing weapon, so this would not be important. The pistol feels solid, with no loos components, and as best we can tell the blade is full-tang, with linked back action locks hidden inside the handle.A fantastic French Dumouthier Style knife pistol, with a great 'Bowie Blade'. We have never had one of these rare pistols before, and it's definitely a great example, worthy of a place in the collection of any discerning collector. Ready to research and display!Specifications:Year of Manufacture: circa 1850Bore Diameter (both): about .34'Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion CapOverall Length: 13 1/4 inchesBlade Length: 8 1/8'Blade Style: Single-Edge Clip-point 'Bowie'Barrel Length: 3 inchesAction: Back Action Percussion Lock - 2 hammersFeed System: Muzzle-LoadedNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.Shipping RestrictionsThis product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New JerseyThis product is available for international shipping.Payment OptionsNot eligible for payment with Paypal or AmazonLegal InformationIMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.These antique guns are not sold in 'live' condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as 'wall hangers' not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.