GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
MAGNIFICENT 4-GUN GARNITURE BY NICOLAS NOEL BOUTET. NOEL BOUTET 4 GUN SET 438 38/30 ESA Cal. 38 bore/Cal. 30 bore. This magnificent set of guns were originally made circa 1810 based on address and SN. The guns were converted to percussion, no doubt by Boutet himself as he lived and worked well into the percussion age, dying in 1833. Note: the exemplary engraving on locks, disguising the old frizzen screw mortises which are virtually undetectable, unless you know exactly where to look. The hammers are also engraved en suite with magnificent dragon motifs on the large pistols and florally with Boutet distinctive zig-zag arrows on the pocket pistols. Bbls still retain the pre-1813 addresses in gold "BOUTET ET FILS / A VERSAILLES". This particular garniture of pistols were originally in the Charles Draeger Collection, sold to Sotheby's in Monaco, 1987. Examples of Boutet's work graced the greatest museums in the world, including a fine collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. Boutet (1761-1833) was Napoleon's personal armorer and several examples are known made for Napoleon and gifted by Napoleon. The large pair of pistols have 9-5/8" swamped oct bbls, inlaid in gold with gold sights. The steel mountings, including bbl tang, locks, hammers, trigger guard, buttcap and lock escutcheons and screws are all exquisitely engraved in style unique to Boutet. The small pair of pocket pistols are beautifully silver inset in bag-shaped wood grips with engraved panels of animals and floral and geometric panels of the highest quality as can be seen in photos. Each of these pistols is signed on top of frames "BOUTET / DIRECTEUR / ARTISTE". Bbls are each signed "MANUF re / A VERSAILLES". These small guns have matching assembly numbers "1" and "2" to bbl and frame. The mahogany and ebony trimmed casing is in matching very fine condition with green velvet lining, with a full set of accessories, including an incredible silver mounted tortoise shell flask. This is a magnificent garniture which cannot be upgraded. PROVENANCE: Charles Draeger, Paris, (1886-1980); Sotheby's Monaco, Lot 212, December 7, 1987. CONDITION: Extremely fine. Guns appear unfired with crisp, shiny, multi-grooved bores on large pistols and bright shiny smooth bores on small pistols, mechanics are crisp, including folding triggers on small pistols function perfectly. Guns retain virtually all of their bright finish with light iron patina and tiny areas of pinprick pitting. The bbls retain virtually all of their orig gold with over half of their orig blued twist pattern. Accessories are all matching, very fine to extremely fine condition. Only light wear and fading to green velvet lining. Mahogany and ebony casing is sound and solid with functional key, with two long hairline cracks in mahogany veneer on lid. 52969-1 JS (75,000-125,000) CASED 4 GUN SET W/9 ACCESS, KEY