April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
Boutet was the director of the state arms manufacturer at Versailles and made some incredible highly embellished firearms. This high quality gun, not highly embellished, has 35 - 1/2" skelp twist barrels with octagonal breech sections transforming to 16 sides, and then with wedding bands to round. Tops of breech sections are engraved "Boutet" "Directeur Artiste". Barrels have been converted to percussion with the installation of new bolstered breeches. Round bodied locks with nicely filed fleur-de-lis at tails are fitted with round bodied percussion hammers. Flintlock fences are retained. Left lock is engraved "Manufre" "Versailles", right with "Boutet" "Directeur Artiste". Dense, relatively plain European walnut stock measures 13 - 5/8" over thick steel buttplate, and features right hand rolled scroll cheekpiece, flat top checkering on bulbous grip and forend, and swiveling sling loops. All furniture is of steel including trigger guard with well filed fillet on bow, and broad finial. Baleen ramrod with ivory tip and steel tail is held by three pipes, and nicely filed thimble. Front two pipes are beaded, third pipe has sling loop. Stock attaches to barrels with sliding bolt. CONDITION: Very good, as refinished. Barrels retain most of an old re-brown over scattered pitting, sharp edges quite soft, as is engraving. Other metal parts are cleaned and polished to silver. Stock retains most of an old oil finish with numerous marks and bumps. Checkering has not been cleaned or re-cut. Bores are brown. Locks are very fine. MGM 181.