If I mention the terms racing and guns, it may conjure the image of a NASCAR fan out in the woods hunting. However, in this particular scenario, those two terms represent a high-end pair of French cased pistols.
This pair of muzzleloading percussion target pistols was made by Gastinne-Renette of Paris, France sometime between 1840 and 1855. This gunmaker, founded by Renette who partnered with former Napoleon officer Gastinne, was the supplier of France during Napoleon III’s reign.
They were associated with high-end product and survived in some fashion from 1812 to 2003. This pair of .49 caliber pistols was presented to Count R. D’Herouville, a Second Lieutenant of the French 16th Dragoon Regiment. However, these firearms were not awarded as merit for his military accomplishments, rather for serving as jockey, riding horses Orphelin and Mishap at the Saumur Races.
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