In 1802, a certain Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Thornton presented this gold-inlaid pocket pistol with a rather long name (120-bore, three-barreled, flintlock, box-lock, tap-action, pocket pistol) to Napoleon Bonaparte.and inlaid with three engraved gold stars and a gold starburst on each side, blued tap inlaid in suite, blued border engraved action inlaid in gold with Thornton's engraved coat-of-arms and motto on one side, and with a scroll engraved with the battle honor 'Marengo' against a martial trophy on the other, blued gold-inlaid cock engraved with a dolphin highlighted in gold on each side, blued thumbpiece safety-catch also locking the blued steel and each inlaid with engraved gold foliage, blued border engraved trigger-guard inlaid with an engraved gold martial trophy on the bow, figured flat-sided butt inlaid with gold wire scrollwork and engraved gold foliage involving a quiver of arrows on each side, and in fine condition retaining much of its original bluing 3.1 cm. barrels
In 1802, a certain Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Thornton presented this gold-inlaid pocket pistol with a rather long name (120-bore, three-barrelled, flintlock, box-lock, tap-action, pocket pistol) to Napoleon Bonaparte.
Thomas Thornton was a tawdry Prince of Chambord and Marquess de Pont who spent most of his time doing princely things like hunting, angling, shooting, hawking, racing and patronizing artists. He prided himself on having the grandest shooting equipment in all of England. In the year 1794 a dispute between Thornton and some other officers of his regiment lead to a court-martial and his subsequent resignation. Eight years later in a bid to regain his lost glory and during a visit to France, Thornton presented the magnificent pocket pistol to Napoleon Bonaparte. A few days later Thomas Thornton received a letter, informing him that his gift was graciously accepted and all matters regarding his court-martial will be re-examined.
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