Pair of Percussion Target Pistols Made for Display at the 1844 Exposition des Produits de l'Industrie in Paris 1844

These percussion target pistols, made by Alfred Gauvain for the 1844 Paris Exposition, blend craftsmanship and industry. The dark, carved ebony grips contrast with the bright, precisely engraved steel. The pistol barrels were created through advanced processes of the period, involving meticulous forging, boring, and rifling. The engraved ornamentation and sculpted details of the grip show artistry and skill, highlighting the status of these pistols as luxury items. Firearms such as these reflected France’s imperial and industrial ambitions, a product of specialized labor, technological advancement, and artistic achievement. The act of making, therefore, combines the artistry with technological processes. By appreciating this pair of pistols in the context of craft and industrial production, we can grasp its intricate ties to society, labor, and the culture of its time.