Circa late 1790s. 45 caliber bores with 12.5”  barrels. The bores have micro rifling. These guns are in near mint condition. The barrels retail all of there original blue finish over a pounce ground polish. Gold inlays are delicately inlaid around the lock end of the barrel and a gold band is at the muzzle. THe barrel reads “Boutet Director Artiste” on one flat and then “Manufacture a Versailles” Both locks are border engraved and polished with “Manuf/ Versailles” below the pan. All of the furniture is engraved and solid silver. The stocks are near new and the checkering is very sharp. This gun comes in its original self locking case with all of the original Boutet accessories. The case shows light wear inside along the edges where the pistols have been removed and placed back in over the approximate 225+ years. These guns were given by Josephine Bonaparte to Hyppolyte Charles and passed down through his family until they were purchased by M. Charles Marchal who was the foremost French authority on antique arms and armor.  This gun comes with a letter from noted antique arms expert Michael Zomber detailing the provenance.  Josephine Bonaparte and Hyppolyte charles had an ongoing affair from 1796 to 1799. They continued to have a business relationship after this. These are very important pistols by the finest gunsmith!