Rating and value of 1st Empire roller pistols
If you own a 1st Empire spinning wheel pistol, and would like to know its value, and if you don't know, the period and model of your weapon, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will offer you their appraisal services. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on today's market. Thereafter, if you wish to sell your work, we will guide you towards the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.
Rating and value of 1st Empire spinning-wheel pistols
1st Empire spinning-wheel pistols are sought-after items by collectors. However, price differences can be considerable, depending on order, state of preservation, who owned it, and other criteria. Nowadays, prices for these objects can rise considerably under the auctioneer's hammer. Buyers from all over the world are interested in the sale of certain rare pieces. The price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €25 to €13,000, for the time being, a substantial gap but one that says a lot about the value that can be attributed to these weapons. In 2017, a pair of pistols that belonged to Prefect Louis-Marie Auvray, sold for €7,500 while they were estimated at between €6,000 and €8,000.
Order of value ranging from a simple order to the most prestigious
Type of pistol | Result |
|---|---|
Gendarmerie pistol | From €25 to €2,000 |
Cavalry pistol | From €100 to €13 000€ |
Officer's pistol | From 210 to 7 500€ |
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A look back at the history of the spinning-wheel pistol
The spinning-wheel pistol is one of the earliest in circulation. It is a complex weapon that was mostly collected. Very few 1st Empire spinning-wheel pistols can be found on the auction market, which further enhances its value.
The first pistol in history was first used in England, in 1461, at the Battle of Towton.
Not long afterwards, during the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci became interested in the spinning-wheel mechanism, which he theorized and schematized. The spinning wheel is a steel part in the form of a wheel, toothed or notched. It is used to rub the firing plate to trigger the shot. Once the hammer is engaged, the springs move into action, creating a spark to ignite the priming powder.
The same operation is found on wheel harquebuses, widely used in the Netherlands.
Wheel guns were weapons used to complement flintlock pistols, which were easier to use. They were very rarely used by the military in everyday weaponry, as the pinwheel pistol operates far too slowly. However, all countries developed this type of pistol, especially Italy. In France, the Empire marked the end of their use, and spinning-wheel pistols were mostly found in 17th-century France.
Style and technique of the French spinning-wheel pistol
The French spinning-wheel pistol was initially conceived as a weapon like any other, made very simply of wood and metal. Over the years, however, it acquired a prestigious reputation and was owned by high-ranking military personnel, even if it was rarely used by them. Napoleon I himself owned several.
The rouet pistol, the first French pistol
They were to be revisited by Napoleon I for the Grande Armée. However, they were used very little in combat, and served mainly as historical witnesses. Like Napoleonic sabers, they are a symbol of wealth and power, and the various ornaments and decorations that can be found on these weapons are proof of this.
Reasons to sell a rouet pistol at auction
If you own a rouet pistol from this historical period, and you don't know how to sell it, auctions are a solution. Indeed, collectors use this medium to find models that correspond to a particular battle or that belonged to their ancestors. Prices can thus reach unprecedented amounts.
These objects are not just weapons, but a historical witness to the Empire that is part of the scientific evolution of French weapon design.
Knowing the value of a rouet pistol
If you happen to own a pistol, from any period, and would like to know its value, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using our form on our website. A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your piece, as well as any relevant information about it. If you wish to sell your property, you will also be accompanied by our specialists in order to benefit from alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account market inclinations.
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More Empire firearms and memorabilia at auction
Estimated 3000 € - 5000 €
Flintlock general's or admiral's pistol, Vendémiaire an XII model
Estimated 18.000 - 20.000 €
Hugo Borchardt patent C93 pistol, with original wood and leather stock.
Estimated 1.000 - 2.000 €
Napoléon Bonaparte (1769-1821), Manuscript in pen and ink on paper.
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Frequently asked questions
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Qu'est-ce qu'un pistolet à rouet et comment fonctionne-t-il ?Le pistolet à rouet est l'un des premiers pistolets de l'histoire, utilisant un mécanisme complexe basé sur une roue en acier dentée. Cette roue frotte contre une platine de mise à feu pour créer une étincelle qui enflamme la poudre d'amorçage. Bien que théorisé par Léonard de Vinci à la Renaissance, ce système s'est avéré lent et peu pratique comparé aux pistolets à silex, qui l'ont progressivement remplacé.
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Quelle est la fourchette de prix des pistolets à rouet du 1er Empire ?Les pistolets à rouet du 1er Empire se vendent entre 25 € et 13 000 € selon leur type et état. Un pistolet de gendarmerie varie entre 25 et 2 000 €, un pistolet de cavalerie entre 100 et 13 000 €, et un pistolet d'officier entre 210 et 7 500 €. Les écarts importants dépendent de la rareté, de la provenance, de l'état de conservation et de l'historique de la pièce.
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Comment authentifier et estimer la valeur d'un pistolet à rouet ?Pour authentifier et évaluer votre pistolet à rouet, nous vous recommandons de demander une expertise gratuite et sans engagement auprès d'Auctie's. Nos commissaires-priseurs et experts agréés par l'État examineront votre pièce et vous transmettront une estimation précise de sa valeur marchande dans un délai de 48 heures, accompagnée d'informations détaillées sur le modèle et la période.
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Pourquoi est-ce un bon moment pour vendre un pistolet à rouet du 1er Empire ?Les pistolets à rouet du 1er Empire sont très recherchés par les collectionneurs du monde entier, et leur rareté sur le marché des enchères renforce leur valeur. La demande reste forte pour ces témoins historiques de l'Empire, particulièrement pour les pièces ayant appartenu à des personnalités notables ou pour les modèles militaires spécifiques, ce qui favorise une vente aux enchères.
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Comment se déroule la vente d'un pistolet à rouet chez Auctie's ?Auctie's vous accompagne de l'estimation gratuite à l'adjudication finale. Après avoir reçu l'expertise de nos commissaires-priseurs et experts agréés, nous vous guidons vers la meilleure solution de vente en tenant compte des tendances du marché afin que votre pistolet atteigne le meilleur prix possible aux enchères.
