Rifleman Q & A: Antoine Ronge Pistol

Q: It is my hope you can provide me with information regarding this pistol that I received and that reputedly came back from France around the time of World War II.

A: Antoine Ronge was a gunmaker in Liege, Belgium, from 1785 to 1845. A search of the records shows several Ronge gunmakers in Liege from 1785 into the 20th century; their relationship to each other is not clear. The “Au Palais” marking shown on the lockplate of your pistol indicates the work of this gunmaker was accepted by the palace or court of the ruler, but it does not indicate that this particular pistol was made for the court or king. Rather, it is an indication of general quality.

--Michael F. Carrick