Cased Pair of Belgian Percussion Pistols by Vivario-Plomdeur. Auguste PLOMDEUR was a gunmaker ( arquebusier) in Paris 1845-1870, he succeed his father Jacques-Joseph PLOMDEUR who was a gunmaker in Liege ( Belgium) and Paris ( 1825-1840) and applied for several patents related to percussion caps.

Auguste PLOMDEUR entered into a collaboration with N. VIVARIO and created the brand VIVARIO-PLOMDEUR at the end of the French 2nd Empire around 1870. They became gunmaker of his majesty the king of Belgium in Liege.

Comprising: 1) Approximately .50 caliber, 10 1/4-inch octagonal barrel with gold inlayed address reading: N. VIVARIO PLOMDUER ARQer. DE S.M. LE ROI DES BELGES A LIEGE. Pinned front and notched rear sights. Top of breech and tang marked with numeral 1. Fine scroll engraving at breech, upper tang, lock and trigger guard. Carved and fluted ebony grips, incised carved panel at the forend. Engraved and faceted butt. Fine silver wire inlay on grips, forend and reverse of the lock.
2) Same as #1 above. Top of breech marked with numeral 2.
Contained in a European-style rosewood case with brass inlays. Maroon felt-lined French casing. Complete with all tools and accessories including ebony barrel-shaped cap box, ebony mallet, oiler, bullet mold, screw driver and ramrod. Also contained in the set is a powder flask marked G.&J.W. HAWKSLEP SHEFFIELD.

Condition: Gun 1 Fine. Retaining approximately 80% thinning blue on the barrel and trigger guard, remainder bright. Wood is very good with a small chip at the rear of the lockplate and a few scattered scuffs. Gun 2 metal parts in the same condition as the above, wood is cracked at the wrist. Case exhibits a few losses to the brass line inlay and scattered scuffs. Felt displays fading and scattered minor wear. Accessories in fine condition.