PREVIEW

A pair of pistols Napoleon Bonaparte is rumoured to have considered shooting himself with has sold for €1.7 million (£1.4 million) at an auction in Fontainebleau, France on Sunday .
The pistols are believed to have “changed the course of history".
That’s because the firearms were integral to a dramatic episode in Napoleon's life following his first abdication.
After his army's defeat and the occupation of Paris by foreign forces, 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.
In a crucial intervention, 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.
Initially estimated to fetch between €1.2 million (£1 million) and €1.5 million (£1.27 million) but the pistols exceeded expectations at the Osenat auction house - which is astonishingly, situated near the palace where the famous episode with the pistol took place. Alongside the pistols, the sale included the original box and accessories, adding to their historical and monetary value.
Recognised as a national treasure by France's culture ministry, the pistols cannot leave the country permanently. The French government has 30 months to make an offer to purchase them from the new owner, who remains anonymous. This classification ensures that the artifacts remain part of France's cultural heritage.