It has been said that the French invented the duel. Whether this is true or not is unclear, but certainly many, many duels were fought in France and their dueling weapons were developed to a very high standard. These pistols have the classic dueling stock shape and the long, heavy barrels designed to promote steadiness in a situation where fractions of a second decided life or death.
Duel(l)ing pistols are pistols of identical appearance, reliability and accuracy that were used in a classical duel. They were often black powder, single-shot pistols.
The use of pistols in duels became popular in Britain and the future United States during the mid-eighteenth century. Initially holster or travelling pistols were mainly used, but by the end of the century special-purpose dueling pistols were being made. The dueling pistols of this time were sold in pairs usually in compartmentalised wooden cases along with a powder flask, rods for cleaning and loading, spare flints and a bullet mould.
The flintlock pistols of this time had a delay between pulling the trigger and the firing of the bullet. As such dueling pistols tended to have heavy barrels, solid grips and hair triggers. Special care was taken when moulding the bullets so as to ensure that there was no hollow part in them. The loading was also carefully undertaken.
French Dueling Pistol Iron
