EXEMPLARY ORNATE PERCUSSION DOUBLE GUN BY NICHOLAS NOEL BOUTET, LIKELY CONVERTED FROM FLINTLOCK DURING ITS WORKING LIFE BY BOUTET.

SN 135. Cal. .602 Bore diameter. Beautiful 32″ bbls of stub Damascus transitioning to plain twist at breech ends, have low narrow game rib. 12″ of breech section and 4″ of muzzle area around silver barleycorn front bead, are gold damascened in scrolling acanthus patterns with floral highlights. On breech ends, this damascening is either side of flush gold inlaid “Boutet” and “Versailles” in script, within ovals. Gold damascening extends to rear portion of rib with central lozenge gold inlaid with Boutet’s SN “135”. A non-original rather plain greenheart ramrod with steel tip and brass tail (worm under tail), is held by two ornate beaded and laurel leaf engraved steel pipes. “No. 135” is also stamped on rear portion of lower bbl rib. Percussion patent breeches are gold inlaid with open scroll and banding. Breech iron is relief engraved with feather band where it meets patent breeches, with flowers and man’s head on tang, and with long necked vulture feeding its young engraved in sighting dish. Locks, once flint, as evidenced by plugged holes for frizzen screws, etc., are fitted with tall, deeply chamfered serpentine hammers that have deep relief engraved stylized dolphin heads. Engraved coiled dragons surround hammer screws. Lockplates have been beautifully engraved with renditions of other vermin such as snarling spotted cats, and wolves. “BOUTET” and “A VERSAILLES” is gold inlaid at front portion of each lock either side of some beautifully cut attenuated scroll. Trigger plate is of polished steel, and is fancy filed and engraved with strawberry burst motif at termination. Central motif is of another snarling dragon. Trigger guard with beautifully sculpted octagonal section to front post, transitions through scroll to top of bow engraved with oval vignette of snarling dog holding down a striking snake. This scene is over a human face flanked by wings. Bow transitions to tang which is relief engraved with stylized flowers. Fancy filed thimble mimics finial of trigger plate. Central oval depicts a dog. The animal theme continues to crescent shaped heavy buttplate, tang of which has leaping stag at rear under acanthus transition to strawberry finial. Stock of dense crotch figured European walnut has large sculpted right hand cheekpiece, and is ornately carved with exceptionally well detailed acanthus and scroll borders surrounding full relief scrolls and flowers around thimble, in front of trigger plate finial, behind locks, around top tang, and cheekpiece. Grip extension is carved in the form of a boar’s head. A vacant gold oval is at top of grip, and stock attaches to bbls with captive side nail through oval gold escutcheons. PROVENANCE: Consignors notes with some family history, as it has been in one family for well over 50 years. CONDITION: Excellent, as refurbished at time of conversion to percussion. Bbls retain nearly all of an exceptional chocolate re-brown with spectacular definition to Damascus pattern. There are some slight losses to damascening overall, and it is a bit patchy. Iron and steel parts retain most of a fine French gray, engraving exquisitely done, and remains exceptionally clear. Stock retains nearly all of what appears to be its orig French polish, with quite a few light marks, nicks, and scratches. Carving has dark background, and beautiful hand rubbed highlights. Bores are excellent, but with some areas of light pitting. Locks are crisp. Nicholas Noel Boutet “Directeur Artiste” is justly regarded as the maker of the most beautiful firearms of the flintlock period. All guns made at his Versailles workshop are of the very finest quality and artistic design and this lovely fowling piece is no exception to the rule. 4-54071 MGM153 (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1546

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Auction: Firearms - March 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1546	$28,750.00	EXEMPLARY ORNATE PERCUSSION DOUBLE GUN BY NICHOLAS NOEL BOUTET, LIKELY CONVERTED FROM FLINTLOCK DURING ITS WORKING LIFE BY BOUTET. SN 135. Cal. .602 Bore diameter. Beautiful 32″ bbls of stub Damascus transitioning to plain twist at breech ends, have low narrow game rib. 12″ of breech section and 4″ of muzzle area around silver barleycorn front bead, are gold damascened in scrolling acanthus patterns with floral highlights. On breech ends, this damascening is either side of flush gold inlaid “Boutet” and “Versailles” in script, within ovals. Gold damascening extends to rear portion of rib with central lozenge gold inlaid with Boutet’s SN “135”. A non-original rather plain greenheart ramrod with steel tip and brass tail (worm under tail), is held by two ornate beaded and laurel leaf engraved steel pipes. “No. 135” is also stamped on rear portion of lower bbl rib. Percussion patent breeches are gold inlaid with open scroll and banding. Breech iron is relief engraved with feather band where it meets patent breeches, with flowers and man’s head on tang, and with long necked vulture feeding its young engraved in sighting dish. Locks, once flint, as evidenced by plugged holes for frizzen screws, etc., are fitted with tall, deeply chamfered serpentine hammers that have deep relief engraved stylized dolphin heads. Engraved coiled dragons surround hammer screws. Lockplates have been beautifully engraved with renditions of other vermin such as snarling spotted cats, and wolves. “BOUTET” and “A VERSAILLES” is gold inlaid at front portion of each lock either side of some beautifully cut attenuated scroll. Trigger plate is of polished steel, and is fancy filed and engraved with strawberry burst motif at termination. Central motif is of another snarling dragon. Trigger guard with beautifully sculpted octagonal section to front post, transitions through scroll to top of bow engraved with oval vignette of snarling dog holding down a striking snake. This scene is over a human face flanked by wings. Bow transitions to tang which is relief engraved with stylized flowers. Fancy filed thimble mimics finial of trigger plate. Central oval depicts a dog. The animal theme continues to crescent shaped heavy buttplate, tang of which has leaping stag at rear under acanthus transition to strawberry finial. Stock of dense crotch figured European walnut has large sculpted right hand cheekpiece, and is ornately carved with exceptionally well detailed acanthus and scroll borders surrounding full relief scrolls and flowers around thimble, in front of trigger plate finial, behind locks, around top tang, and cheekpiece. Grip extension is carved in the form of a boar’s head. A vacant gold oval is at top of grip, and stock attaches to bbls with captive side nail through oval gold escutcheons. PROVENANCE: Consignors notes with some family history, as it has been in one family for well over 50 years. CONDITION: Excellent, as refurbished at time of conversion to percussion. Bbls retain nearly all of an exceptional chocolate re-brown with spectacular definition to Damascus pattern. There are some slight losses to damascening overall, and it is a bit patchy. Iron and steel parts retain most of a fine French gray, engraving exquisitely done, and remains exceptionally clear. Stock retains nearly all of what appears to be its orig French polish, with quite a few light marks, nicks, and scratches. Carving has dark background, and beautiful hand rubbed highlights. Bores are excellent, but with some areas of light pitting. Locks are crisp. Nicholas Noel Boutet “Directeur Artiste” is justly regarded as the maker of the most beautiful firearms of the flintlock period. All guns made at his Versailles workshop are of the very finest quality and artistic design and this lovely fowling piece is no exception to the rule. 4-54071 MGM153 (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1546 \| Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - March 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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EXEMPLARY ORNATE PERCUSSION DOUBLE GUN BY NICHOLAS NOEL BOUTET, LIKELY CONVERTED FROM FLINTLOCK DURING ITS WORKING LIFE BY BOUTET.