December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2023
Boutet is well regarded and frequently considered amongst, if not the, finest firearms makers of all time. He was the Director at Versailles from 1800-1818, with a special 18 year concession from Napoleon II, who commissioned several important guns from Boutet, including the Lafayette-Bolivar pistols and the Napoleon III pistols. In identical configuration and clearly made as a pair, boldly inlaid in gold across the top of turn-off barrels "BOUTET / A VERSAILLES", with a small protrusion to assist in turning the barrels off, a single depressed line about the muzzle, and floral engraving at the thread. Chamber is decorated with scalloped florals, with the pan cover scalloped en suite. Boxlocks are delicately engraved with a fearsome lion in various poses, including a ferocious roar. Bottom of actions with fold-out triggers are engraved with a vase on top of a baluster emerging from a flower, overflowing with florals. Reinforced cocks have an avian head that looks deep into the pan as they strike. Push on safeties. Bag grips are checkered, with a floral device relief carved on either side. Spine of grips with silver studs and mullered borders. CONDITION: Both pistols have been cleaned in the European fashion, with polishing marks and some areas of mossing visible throughout. Engraving is crisp and clear. Barrels are somewhat worse than action, particularly towards muzzle, where there are some minor pits. Stocks are very good, with some abraded heads and handling marks throughout, with a few minor chips; pistol (B) has a crack approximately 1" long from boxlock to grip stud. Mechanically fine; triggers deploy correctly. A wonderful example of pistols from one the finest gunmakers of all time. With a contemporary wire stand that displays pistols well.
Barrel Length
(BOTH) 2 - 1/2"
Caliber/Bore
(BOTH) .54 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
(BOTH) Boutet