Silver Eloi Pernet Écu Cigar Cutter

An outrageously cool antique French silver 'écu’ transformed into a cigar cutter by master knife makers Eloi Pernet

Charles Louis Eloi Pernet established his factory in 1920 and won the prestigious ‘Meilleur Ouvrier de France’ (Best Craftsman of France) award in 1925.  So revered was his work that Pernet was called upon to create unique designs for world renowned luxury brands such as Hèrmes, Dupont and Dunhill

This ‘écu’ coin, dated 1784 from the reign of Louis XVI and formed of 80% silver, remains in tremendous condition for its age 

Setting it aside from a ‘normal’ silver écu of a similar vintage, despite the insertion of a cutter, are the hallmarks.  Pernet’s maker’s mark is stamped on both sides while the French ‘le crabe’ (crab) hallmark (used by Assay offices to mark silver jewellery and accessories of a 800/000 fineness and up from 1838 up until 1962) can be seen clearly stamped just above the King’s profile 

The coin was masterfully split and a telescopic steel guillotine cigar cutter placed between the faces.  The blade remains sharp with an aperture of 1.45cm in diameter that’ll allow for a clean cut of the cap of a 42 ring gauge cigar 

Attached to the cutter’s bail is the original Eloi Pernet faceted cable link chain, allowing for the cutter to be worn through the button holes of a jacket/waistcoat or used as a key chain.  This again is boldly stamped with Pernet’s maker’s mark as well as two ‘crabe’ hallmarks.

Such a rich history from a very useable piece 

Coin diameter - 4.1cm

Chain length including bail - 14cm