Fun pair of chest guns, Saint Etienne manufacture.
They are very robust weapons, of current manufacture, without decoration or refinement, intended for poor people. There were many such weapons, called "fist" made in the 19th century. It was typically the arming of the peasants who went to the local market, or students who went out at night in poor neighborhoods. Weapons are in pairs, which is not common, weapons of this quality were often sold individually. Although it is a pair, they have small differences that testify to a quick manufacturing. Both weapons work perfectly, they have a beautiful patina, they are well preserved, and could probably still draw nowadays after careful cleaning and overhaul.
Fun testimony of everyday life in the 19th century, when traveling or going out at night could lead to a meeting with armed robbers.