September 9, 10, & 11, 2025 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/9/2025
Pauly is credited with the invention of the first self contained cartridge with his patent of 1808. Operating in Paris during the Napoleonic wars, Pauly also patented the first firearm using his new system in 1812. Pauly left Paris for London in 1814 and his Paris operation fell into the hands of Henri Roux where he continued in the advancement of the Pauly patents. Pauly took up his trade in London using Durs Egg's shop. Pauly himself died in London in 1821. This matching pair of pistols comes with a booklet by Georg Priestel (included) whose tome on these early guns is extremely concise with photographs, diagrams, etc. He describes Pauly and Roux inventions, firearms and cartridges in superb detail. There is a photo of an actual Pauly pistol referenced as a London gun from 1814 along with a photo of an 1814-15 volley longarm attributed to same London period built at Durs Egg's shop. (page 28-29) Georg shows another picture of an actual pistol on page 39 referenced as a circa 1820-1822 from Henri Roux's Paris shop. This gun is nearly identical to the offered pair. Both of these pistols wear a brass J.M. Davis museum tag, the famous collection that resides Clarence Oklahoma. This pair of pistols are virtually identical. Neither have any maker legends or proof marks. Both are top break single shots with French style walnut handles and metal pommels. CONDITION: Fine. Both have an even textured patina finish on metal. Both of the grips are excellent, fine finish with scattered small dings and impressions. Both are mechanically sound. The bores appear razor sharp, multi landed with negligible grooves. A very important pair of pistols dating to the founding era of self contained cartridges and nearly impossible to find examples.
Caliber/Bore
(Both) .60 caliber
Manufacturer
Jean Samuel Pauly - Henri Roux
Paperwork
notebook and folder on history of gun