TDM-019 Part Two.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2017 15:55 Page 176
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626 A 24 BORE D.B. FRENCH FLINTLOCK SPORTING GUN BY BOUTET DIRECTEUR ARTISTE MANUFACTURE A VERSAILLES, CIRCA 1800-05 with sighted barrels formed in three stages, inlaid with a pair of gold lines at the muzzle, fitted with silver fore-sight on a gilt bed, decorated in gold with conventional foliage and pellets over the median, signed in script on the rib over the breeches, enriched with gilt trophies-of-arms, diamond-shaped panels, key ornament and all set within beadwork frames, struck with two marks, the letter ‘B’ in an octagon twice and the letters ‘LC’ in an oval three times (rubbed, indistinct), characteristic oval gold-lined vents (losses), stamped ‘Manu’ and ‘Vlles’ beneath the breeches, engraved grooved breech tang, burnished stepped locks with bevelled borders, signed ‘Boutet Directeur Artiste’ on the right and ‘Manufre a Versailles’ on the left, fitted with engraved burnished cocks and steels each decorated with conventional foliage, semi-rainproof pans (previously gold-lined) and steel springs fitted with rollers, figured walnut half-stock (cracked through and repaired at the grip), inlaid with silver wire scrolls, and flowers, chequered fore-end and grip, inlaid with engraved silver behind the rear ramrod-pipe, ahead of the trigger-guard and on the spine of the butt, the latter with raised cheek-piece on the left and fitted with an ebony butt-cap carved with a flower enclosed by a band of foliage, ebony trigger-guard inset with a silver plaque, the rear portion reinforced by a finely carved scroll enriched with neoclassical foliage and inlaid with finely engraved silver plaques, three faceted burnished iron ramrod-pipes, two sling swivels, vacant silver shield-shaped escutcheon, and brass-tipped baleen ramrod 85.7 cm; 33 ¾ in barrels It is likely that this gun was repaired in its early working life following the damage to the grip when the trigger-guard, butt-plate and silver inlay were added. This early restoration probably included the addition or refreshment of the chequering and the other elements. The style of the restoration suggests a German, perhaps Bavarian, workshop. Nicolas-Noël Boutet (1761-1833) the distinguished maker of armes de luxe inherited the position of gunmaker to Louis XIV from his father-in-law, Pierre de Sainte (active 174788). In 1792 he became technical Director at the new Versailles Manufactory and in 1800 rose to Directeur Artiste with overall control. He held this position until the closure of the manufactory in 1818. Boutet died fifteen years later in poverty, his career having survived six French political regimes. £7000-9000
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