FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE PAIR OF DOUBLE BARRELED RIFLED TURNOFF PISTOLS BY NICOLAS NOEL BOUTET, PERSONAL GUNSMITH TO LOUIS XVI, CIRCA 1789.

SN NSN. Plain flat stepped locks beautifully engraved on one pistol “Boutet a Paris” and the other “Boutet a Versailles”. The serpentine cocks of the highest quality, as are the molded frizzens. Rnd cannon bbls are deeply rifled, stamped at breeches with Boutet’s poincons. Steel mounts comprising trigger guards and spurred buttcaps are austere but excellent quality. Figured walnut half stocks are finely carved behind the breech and in front of the trigger guard. Breeches are engraved with trophies of arms and damascened in gold. Pistols have a unique split trigger to fire each bbl in turn. Bbls have a captive mechanism to ensure against loss. Pistols are cased in what appears to be their original case line in coarse green felt with bullet mold and no other accessories. Early pairs of Boutet pistols are most uncommon while double barreled pairs are almost unknown. The sophistication of the split trigger demonstrates once again Boutet’s total mastery of the gun maker’s art. Nicolas Noel Boutet, gun maker to the kings of France and the emperor Napoleon is the most important gunsmith of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His artistic genius and insistence on the highest quality is evident in all his works from the lowliest briquet sword to the most splendid solid gold mounted garniture. Any Boutet is important and the present pair particularly so. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Steel locks and mounts are polished bright showing no significant pitting. Both cocks on one pistol superbly replaced. Stocks are crisp with crisp carving. Bbls retain much original gold damascening over an old reblue. 4-49873 (20,000-40,000) – Lot 2448

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014

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
	2448	$28,750.00	FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE PAIR OF DOUBLE BARRELED RIFLED TURNOFF PISTOLS BY NICOLAS NOEL BOUTET, PERSONAL GUNSMITH TO LOUIS XVI, CIRCA 1789. SN NSN. Plain flat stepped locks beautifully engraved on one pistol “Boutet a Paris” and the other “Boutet a Versailles”. The serpentine cocks of the highest quality, as are the molded frizzens. Rnd cannon bbls are deeply rifled, stamped at breeches with Boutet’s poincons. Steel mounts comprising trigger guards and spurred buttcaps are austere but excellent quality. Figured walnut half stocks are finely carved behind the breech and in front of the trigger guard. Breeches are engraved with trophies of arms and damascened in gold. Pistols have a unique split trigger to fire each bbl in turn. Bbls have a captive mechanism to ensure against loss. Pistols are cased in what appears to be their original case line in coarse green felt with bullet mold and no other accessories. Early pairs of Boutet pistols are most uncommon while double barreled pairs are almost unknown. The sophistication of the split trigger demonstrates once again Boutet’s total mastery of the gun maker’s art. Nicolas Noel Boutet, gun maker to the kings of France and the emperor Napoleon is the most important gunsmith of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His artistic genius and insistence on the highest quality is evident in all his works from the lowliest briquet sword to the most splendid solid gold mounted garniture. Any Boutet is important and the present pair particularly so. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Steel locks and mounts are polished bright showing no significant pitting. Both cocks on one pistol superbly replaced. Stocks are crisp with crisp carving. Bbls retain much original gold damascening over an old reblue. 4-49873 (20,000-40,000) – Lot 2448 Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014 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.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}

FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE PAIR OF DOUBLE BARRELED RIFLED TURNOFF PISTOLS BY NICOLAS NOEL BOUTET, PERSONAL GUNSMITH TO LOUIS XVI, CIRCA 1789.