A very scarce pair of cased saw handle percussion pistols by Lepage

dating: 1840 circa provenance: Paris, Octagonal, smoothbore, 13 mm cal barrels, with thin groove at the center, signed 'LE PAGE A PARIS' in gold in two lines among branches, with frame at the base and precision front sight, areas with rust damages, especially under the barrels, one marked '1005', 'GB' and '3' below and on the side , the other '1003' and with remains of marks, mark of the Liege test bench on one side; engraved tangs numbered '1' and '2', and provided with the same thin groove (continuing on the back of the cases); forward spring locks signed in gold 'LEPAGE A PARIS' and finely engraved with floral motifs; three-quarter wooden stocks with shell-shaped sides and zigzag checkered butts, marked 'JHL', 'IIII' or 'V' inside. Perfectly outlined, saw-handle butt. Iron mounts, the counter-plates with intertwined winged dragons; trigger guards engraved with floral motifs and provided with finger rests, oval and convex butt plates decorated en suite. Set trigger. In patina, with an adeguate restoration the quality surely improves. In a wooden case with elegant brass mounts and foldaway handle, re-lined in green cloth with tools and keys. A very interesting pair of pistols of a rare shape and of the well-known Lepage quality. length 39 cm.