ENGRAVED Antique NICOLAS BOUTET Percussion Conversion DOUBLE BARREL Shotgun French GOLD INLAID Side by Side Fowling Piece!

Product Description

ENGRAVED Antique NICOLAS BOUTET Percussion Conversion DOUBLE BARREL Shotgun

French GOLD INLAID Side by Side Fowling Piece!

Here we present an antique Nicolas Noel Boutet Double Barrel Side by Side Shotgun, made circa 1800 at the manufactory in Versailles, France. Nicolas-Noël Boutet (1761-1833) was a French gunsmith and bladesmith who was director of the Versailles state arms factory (c.1792). More than 600,000 weapons were produced under his directorship, most of them regulation military weapons, though he was also involved in making perfectly unique and elaborate pieces for military heroes and foreign heads of state per the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He was given the title of “Gunmaker-in-ordinary” to King Louis XVI of France. During the French Revolution, we worked for Napoleon as the director of the state arms manufactory. He was a trend-setter in his own right, especially with regards to the aesthetic decoration of firearms and his name remains famous for his incredible work.

This handsome double barrel fowler was originally made in the flintlock firing system though later updated to percussion. This shotgun features side by side Damascus barrels in 20 gauge. The breeches and the muzzles are banded in gold and “BOUTET ARQUEBUSIER DU ROI” is signed in gold atop the barrel rib. The locks are signed “MANRE ROYALE/A VERSAILLES” in gold. The locks are engraved with hunting dogs, the trigger guard and finial with a stag and crane respectively. The conversion was neatly done with bolsters installed atop the remnants of the flashpans and hammers with monstrous heads. The stock is a thing of beauty, both for the complex grain of the wood as well as the craftsmanship involved. The comb has a low rise with a well-positioned cheek rest. Curvaceous is the word to describe this piece and everything flows together nicely. This stock seems rather moulded than carved. The cheek rest finishes and spirals into a starburst accent. Chevron checkering completes the effect.

The overall condition is good+. The action is strong. The bore is smooth and clean. Very nice Damascus pattern remains on the barrels. The stock was cracked and repaired, and the repair is firm and stable.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrels: 30 inches.

Caliber: 20 Gauge Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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$6435
#200919