Mehier Cédie & Cie – 1870 Invoice and Letter for Lefaucheux-Type Double Barrel Shotgun

Description

This paired invoice and accompanying letter, dated 23 January 1870, were issued by Mehier Cédie & Cie, a luxury arms manufacturer located at 11 Rue de Foy in Saint-Étienne.

The company letterhead emphasizes Mehier Cédie’s specialization in fuseils à silex et à percussion (flintlock and percussion rifles), pièces détachées (spare parts), and especially fusils Lefaucheux, pistols, and revolvers. This printed branding places the firm squarely within the ongoing commercialization of Lefaucheux-system firearms, which by 1870 had become a mainstay in French civilian and export markets. Though the letter does not expand on technical features, the specification of a Lefaucheux double-barrel shotgun implies a breech-loading pinfire mechanism, following Casimir Lefaucheux’s patented design.

The reverse letter, written in formal commercial French, confirms the sale and invites future orders, offering a small discount of 3 francs on the invoice amount, conditional on customer satisfaction. Together, these documents provide a detailed view of the firearms retail trade at the start of the 1870s and reflect the sustained popularity of Lefaucheux-pattern shotguns as refined, exportable sporting arms during the peak of their commercial lifecycle.