French Boarding Pistol signed  Cassagnard A. Nantes circa 1750 - .59 cal., round brass tapering cannon style barrel swollen and turned at the muzzle, 8 1/2 inches long, bronze plated lock signed forward of the cock by the maker 'Cassagnard a Nantes', bronze pan; frizzen, cock (missing cock screw) and spring in iron, walnut full-stock with raised borders around the lockplate, broad bronze engraved trigger guard with finial, border line engraved butt cap, origina ramrod with screw tip, barrel is engraved on top along with the name "Mariette". Tip of stock is cracked, small crack at the rear of lockplate possibly from knot in wood. Overall length is 14 inches.

Cassagnard was active in Nantes 1708 - 1786 and made weapons mainly destined for the French navy, based at Brest. They are typified by the bronze fitments and some early examples have heavy butts cast in the form of dogs heads.

​Valued well below other examples on the Interweb.