Unusual French Small Bore Flintlock Pistol By Saintonge of Orleans (1760 – 1780)

NSN, .30 Caliber, 8 3/4" part octagon barrel with cannon type muzzle and a good, lightly pitted bore. This is a finely made, diminutive pistol that has a fairly bright gray patina along the barrel and a more mottled gray color on the lock, sideplate, and buttcap. The lockplate is marked "Saintonge le Jeune / Orleans" (Saintonge the Younger) and some engraving is present, including a small martial panoply on the rear of the lockplate. The European walnut stock has numerous small handling marks and minor blemishes scattered throughout. The original metal ramrod is still present and the lock is fully functional. Additionally, a British Antique Dealers’ Association metal seal is affixed to the trigger guard bow. This is a neat pistol, in about very good overall condition, in an unusually small caliber, and would make a great addition to any collection. Antique