AN VIII MODEL PISTOL FROM SAINT ETIENNE.
After the disorders and anarchy that reigned during the first years of the French Revolution, the artillery regained control of the factories and a manufacturing unit was established. We then find the AN VIII model (1799) which, while keeping the appearance of the 1763/66 model, prefigures the famous AN IX model.
Description:
Lock: round body, then flat. Round-body hammer. Battery with turnbacks at the top, straight foot. Brass bassinet, inclined. Marking: ST Etienne (in cursive) and S punch surmounted by a Soviche sun.
Barrel: Five-sided at the thunder then round. Unmarked breech tail. Marking: B from Blachon-Roux.
Fittings: all brass. Double-band mouthpiece, with lip. Trigger guard forming a half-charollaise underguard (tallow drop at the front), pin attachment at the front and by the screw crossing the cap at the rear. No butt flange. Cap attached by two screws, marked with a G surmounted by a circle. The other fittings are stamped R (Simon Robin or Jean Rousset?). Iron rod with nail head. Iron shield and trigger, pin attachment.
Frame: In dark walnut, with long barrel. Sloping butt. Marking: B of Etienne Bonnand. Hardwood peg (as on rifles) marked RF (French Republic).
GRIBEAUVAL
