Napoleon’s flintlock pistols, once intended for his own demise, fetched €1.7 million at an auction in Fontainebleau, proving that even his failed suicide attempts can command a hefty price tag.

The pair of elegantly crafted flintlock pistols, designed by Parisian gunsmith Louis-Marin Gosset and considered a national treasure by France's culture ministry, exceeded their estimated auction price, selling for a staggering €1.7 million. Initially intended to end the deposed Emperor's suffering in 1814, thanks to some quick-thinking powder removal by his friend Armand de Caulaincourt, the ornate pistols instead went on to become symbols of high drama and historical what-ifs. Clearly, Bonaparte's knack for turning personal crises into legendary tales remains unparalleled, even two centuries later.

The sale took place at the Osenat auction house in Fontainebleau, a fittingly grand setting for weapons once held by one of history’s most iconic figures. The initial estimation for the pistols ranged between €1.2 million and €1.5 million, making the final bid a pleasant surprise for the auctioneers—though perhaps not so much for the wallets of the bidders.

The pistols are significant not just for their association with Napoleon, but also for their intricate craftsmanship. Created by renowned Parisian gunsmith Louis-Marin Gosset, they feature elaborate designs, including references to Greek gods, as well as gold and silver embellishments. Napoleon’s cipher adorns both the pistols and their original box, along with various accessories, making them as much works of art as they are deadly weapons. Imagine owning such masterpieces—it would almost make you wish you had a display case fit for a museum!

Declared a national treasure by France's culture ministry, the pistols cannot leave French soil. This decision ensures that these artifacts remain accessible to historians and the public, rather than disappearing into the private collection of an international buyer. It’s a small yet poignant victory for cultural preservation, even if the man who once wielded them often dreamt of wider conquests.

Historical context adds another layer of intrigue to these weapons. After his abdication in 1814, Napoleon found himself in a particularly low moment and considered using the pistols to end his life. This intimate detail comes from the memoirs of Armand de Caulaincourt, a close ally who intervened by removing the powder from the guns, thus rendering them harmless. Published in 1933, Caulaincourt's writings provide much of the background about Napoleon's fateful night of contemplation and subsequent decisions. Interestingly, these pistols, once a potential instrument of tragedy, ended up as a symbol of historical curiosity.

Despite his initial failed suicide attempt using poison, which he managed to survive—proving that not all French cuisine agrees with everyone—Napoleon's story did not end there. He famously returned to power in a stunning comeback known as the Hundred Days. This period culminated in the Battle of Waterloo, where his ambitions were ultimately thwarted, but not without leaving an indelible mark on history.

Napoleon's gift of these pistols to Caulaincourt after his suicide attempt underlines the deep bond between the two men. It’s a moment of personal history preserved in metal and wood, turning a potentially tragic artifact into a symbol of camaraderie and loyalty. One imagines the mustachioed auctioneer raising an eyebrow as he announced this particular provenance detail.

Interestingly, Osenat has become quite the hub for Napoleonic memorabilia. Last November, the auction house sold one of Napoleon’s iconic black hats for a record €1.932 million, proving that anything associated with the storied French leader commands top dollar—or top euro, as it were. Perhaps someone out there is quietly assembling the world's most expensive and eccentric impersonation kit.

As for the new owner of the pistols, they remain anonymous. It’s anyone’s guess whether they're a fervent Napoleonic enthusiast, an astute investor, or someone with a taste for ornate, historically significant trinkets to adorn their drawing room. With such a notable addition to their collection, perhaps they’ll soon need to fend off a few historians and documentarians eager for a closer look.

In the end, it seems Napoleon's legacy is as imperishable as the mythos surrounding him. Even in death, through auctions and artifacts, his story continues to captivate the public imagination. And while he might have never succeeded in his attempt to make a dramatic exit with those pistols, the items themselves have certainly found a way to survive through the ravages of time, retaining their own share of historical drama.