French percussion pistols. what are they and what are they worth?

[milcollector84]

these will be coming up to auction near me this weekend and I was wondering if they are worth bidding on and what they are worth. they have a 4 groove (square shoulders) barrel one looks to have originally been a flintlock converted to percussion as it has the usual breech/ lock plate filler for conversion. They appear to be marked Mle 1842 C bis both made at St. Etienne. both with matching nos. the older conversion has a cracked grip but it is still solid.



thanks for any and all info

Matt

[milcollector84]

Correction. It is a French Mle 1822 cavalry percussion pistol. Anyone got an idea of value?

Matt

[Walkwolf]

These look like two very nice pistols. There has never been very
much interest in French guns, but over the past several years
I've noticed a rise in pricing for any old firearms - percussion,
pin-fire, etc.
At one time, you could find French and Belgian made guns
relatively cheap, and pistols like these would have gone
for around $300-$400 each.

I'd guess they'd be in the $800-$1200 apiece (retail)
these days - perhaps more. Depends on how bad
you want or need them.........!