French Emperor Napoleon’s Pistols sold for $ 1.8 Million in Auction

Two pistols owned by Napoleon Bonaparte were sold in an auction in France on Sunday for 1.69 million euros ($1.8 million). According to historians, Napoleon once intended to use these pistols to kill himself.

The French government is insisting that the pistols should stay in the country as national treasures.

The identity of the buyer at the auction in Fontainebleau south of Paris was not made public.

Ahead of the sale of the weapons, the national treasures commission of the French culture ministry on Saturday had classified the objects as national treasures and placed a ban on their export.

During the 30-month export ban period, the French government can make a purchase offer to the unidentified new owner, who has the right to refuse.

Whatever its value and age, a cultural property qualified as a national treasure can leave France only temporarily, with a mandatory return.

The richly decorated pistols are inlaid with gold and silver feature the engraved image of Napoleon in full imperial pomp.