PREVIEW

Napoleon's 'Suicide Attempt' Pistols Sell For £1.4 Million. A pair of pistols Napoleon Bonaparte is rumoured to have considered shooting himself with has sold for £1.4 million at an auction in Fontainebleau, France. The firearms were integral to a dramatic episode in Napoleon's life following his first abdication. After his army's defeat, Napoleon contemplated using these pistols to end his life on the night of April 12, 1814. According to the memoirs of his close ally, Armand de Caulaincourt, Napoleon had ingested poison but survived. During this critical period, he expressed a desire to die and began distributing his personal possessions, including these pistols. Caulaincourt removed the powder from the pistols, rendering them useless and preventing Napoleon from taking further action. This act of loyalty and foresight arguably altered the course of history, allowing Napoleon to escape from exile on Elba and fight again at the Battle of Waterloo. The pistols, crafted by Paris gunsmith Louis-Marin Gosset, are adorned with intricate details, including references to Greek gods, gold and silver inlays, and an image of Napoleon. They remain in excellent condition, having been meticulously preserved by Caulaincourt's descendants. Recognised as a national treasure by France's culture ministry the French government has 30 months to make an offer to purchase them from the new owner, who remains anonymous.