Le Page Percussion Duelling Pistol
Le Page · Pistol · Discontinued · 1840
Also known as: LePage Duelling Pistol, Le Page Paris Percussion Pistol
Overview
The Le Page Percussion Duelling Pistol is a single-shot, muzzleloading percussion pistol produced by the celebrated Parisian gunmaker Le Page around the mid-19th century. Chambered for a roughly .50 caliber patched round ball and ignited by a percussion cap, it typically pairs an octagonal browned barrel of about 250 mm with a finely checkered European walnut half-stock, a set trigger and refined engraving. Sold in matched cased pairs, it exemplified the balance, ornamentation and craftsmanship demanded of a gentleman's duelling arm.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1100 g (38.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 425 mm (16.73") |
| Barrel Length | 250 mm (9.84") |
| Action Type | Muzzleloader |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 180 m/s (591 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 186 J (137 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Smoothbore |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Browned |
Calibers
- .50 Caliber Ball · primary — also known as .50 caliber round ball, 0.50 in patched round ball, 12.7mm muzzleloader
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzleloading
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Octagonal Barrel, Set Trigger, Checkered Grip, Single Shot, Muzzleloading, Percussion Cap Ignition
Production
Production years: circa 1840-1850
Built in small numbers as bespoke cased pairs for private customers rather than in industrial quantities.
Origin
Country of origin: France
Designer: Henry Le Page
Discontinued: 1870
Notes
Original duelling pistols of this pattern were most commonly smoothbored, since visible rifling was considered dishonourable for a formal duel; rifled target versions of the same design were also produced. The Le Page name survives today through faithful reproductions built by Davide Pedersoli in flintlock and percussion configurations.
Background
The Le Page workshop was founded in Paris in 1717 and served as gunmaker to French royalty and to Napoleon, winning gold medals at the international exhibitions of Paris, Vienna and London. A cased pair of Le Page duelling pistols became a byword for the finest French gunmaking of the age.