June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2018
Swamped octagonal steel barrel with multi-groove rifling and a hooked breech. Barrel profusely decorated with gilt overlaid designs and "CANON * TORDE". Nine-hole folding peep sight mounted at front of barrel tang. Lockplate inscribed "Manufacture/de Versailles", French cock and lockplate decorated with engraved cannons and military motifs. Lock features a waterproof and silver-lined pan. High relief-cast and chased gilt silver mounts featuring cannons, arms, armor, and floral motifs, triggerguard with three French hallmarks. Set trigger. Full-length walnut stock profusely inlaid with silver wire scrolls and inlaid with many expertly-engraved sterling silver floral inlays. A few plain silver moons in the eastern style are inlaid on each side of forend are devoid of engraving and probably were added at a later time.Stock carved with checkered panels on forearm and around wrist, relief-carved shells, borders, and florals throughout. Complete with wooden ramrod with faceted silver tip. Solid gold shield-shaped wrist escutcheon is vacant, but features a tooled border. Carved cheekpiece on left side with relief flower in great detail at rear. This rifle is certainly of the quality of Boutet and could be attributed to his shop. Fair condition, barrel retains a heavy brown patina and shows overall wear and losses to gilt overlays, some areas show signs of attempted cleaning, tang cleaned bright. Lock has been polished bright and shows some wear to engraved designs and markings, as well as some scattered freckling. Silver mounts retain most of gilt finish with some wear to higher areas and ramrod ferrules. Stock shows some losses to wire inlays, some wear overall and scattered marks from use. Stock was broken beneath lock and has been repaired, but is still not completely secure. This beautiful and ornate high quality rifle would be an excellent candidate for a restoration.