29 - A TOUCHING SET OF OFFICER’S PISTOLS THAT BELONGED TO SAINT CHARLES DE FOUCAULD (1853–1916), INHERITED FROM HIS FATHER, ÉDOUARD

A TOUCHING SET OF OFFICER’S PISTOLS THAT BELONGED TO SAINT CHARLES DE FOUCAULD (1853–1916), INHERITED FROM HIS FATHER, ÉDOUARD Made of varnished walnut, with the lid decorated with braided bands and a brass shield monogrammed “EF,” lined with burgundy velvet, shaped, with two compartments (with minor discoloration); it contains: - A pair of percussion-cap officer’s pistols. Flared, rifled, blued barrels, engraved “CANON D’ACIER FIN.” Barrels and breech blocks with rear sights engraved with foliage motifs, numbered in gold “1” and “2.” Flat-bodied locks and hammers engraved with foliage scrollwork. Triggers with sensitivity screws. Firing pins and flat-sided caps engraved with continuous foliage motifs. Marbled, carved walnut stocks. Length: 42 cm - Includes accessories: barrel-removal screwdriver (jammed); ramrod and cleaning rod; primer box; oil can; copper and brass powder bulb with latticework decoration; rammer; bullet mold with spout cutter and powder measure. Made around 1860, used by the Saint, then an officer, around 1880–1900 Key missing; minor wear on the blue finish and wood H.: 8 cm W.: 46 cm D.: 25 cm Related item: Charles de Foucauld’s cavalry officer’s saber, from the collections of the Musée de la Cavalerie in Saumur, bearing his crowned monogram. According to the 1971 auction catalog entry, the saber and the pistol case are from the same provenance. A poignant cased pair of Saint Charles de Foucauld’s officer’s pistols Provenance: - Saint Charles de Foucauld (1853–1916), from his father, Édouard de Foucauld (1820–1864), whose initials appear on the lid; - Rear Admiral Charles de Blic (1887–1965), nephew of Charles de Foucauld, according to the 1971 auction catalog; - Hôtel Drouot auction, conducted by Maître Pechon, June 3–4, 1971, lot no. 263, with this provenance. Attached is an excerpt from a certificate by Robert Johnson, an expert, confirming the provenance.