Belgium, circa 1840. Small travel pistol with trunk percussion and forced bullet, made in Liège. Cal. 12 mm. Serial no. "657". All metal parts with slight gray patina. Smooth round barrel with simulated muzzle rifling. Chased arabesque chests and breech tail. The frame is stamped "ELG" and "D" under the crown. Retractable trigger. Renaissance-style stock in carved ivory with steel cap chased with small en suite decoration. Functional single-action mechanism with two clear, play-free cocking notches. Inside of barrel with minor surface oxidation. 15 cm (barrel 5 cm). (Traces of oxidation on the end of the breech tail, the screw fixing the rear breech tail, missing ivory on the stock. Fairly good condition.)

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.