DELUXE PAIR OF EMPIRE POCKET/MUFF FLINTLOCK PISTOLS BY NICHOLAS NOEL BOUTET.

DELUXE PAIR OF EMPIRE POCKET/MUFF FLINTLOCK PISTOLS BY NICHOLAS NOEL BOUTET. SN NSN. Cal. approx 50, smooth bore. 1-1/4″ turn off bbl utilizing a lug. Stocks of ebony with fish scale checkering around the back edge of the ebony stock to the inner frame screw. Classical carving on butt flats with egg and dart detail bordering around the inner and outer edges. Central motif on butt flat incorporating a rosette and a classical floral sprig. Overall finish is a high burnish finish. A sliding safety on top of frame which engages the frizzen, a drop down trigger integral with the frame. Bbls and frames are sequentially marked “1” and “2” and are marked “Manuf’d a Versailles” around circumference of bbl. Both bbls, at front and rear have classical, linear border engraving. Pistol 1 includes, at underside of the frame, a classical and allegorical Goddess of the Arts suggestive of Apollo. Pistol 1 and 2 feature delicately engraved dragon on left side and right side, respectively, of frame representing “a mythical monster who guarded the gardens of the Hesperides and drew the chariot of Luna (the moon)” (See Herbert G. House, “Man at Arms” Vol 25 No. 5, 2003, page 26). Pistol 1 also includes a classical motif of a siren with globe on the right side, Odysseus and the Seirenes. Pistol 2 shows another classical Greek Seirene, an episode from the Odyssey where Odysseus hears the sirens’ song but does not succumb to their lure because he has been tied to his ship’s mast. On the underside, around trigger, on Pistol 2, is a cock with decorative, floral garland at top of jaw, an allegorical representation of France (as Gaul)(See Herbert G. House, “Man at Arms” Vol 25 No. 5, 2003, page 26). The placement of the cock atop the globe suggests France’s dominance in world affairs. Cocks have elegant detailing of floral engraving at base. Pair of classical birds at fountain on front of frizzen. Boutet’s typical frizzen safety activated by internal spring at top of bbl. An elegant statement of Boutet’s finest styling of the 1795 early Versailles period worthy of the most discriminating collection. PROVENANCE: H.H. Thomas Collection. CONDITION: Both pistols are fine mechanically, excellent. Overall finish of the burnished steel on Pistol 1, left side of frame there is minute and minor pitting. All other surfaces, on both pistols are in excellent condition. 4-36650 DGT1 (10,000-12,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2010

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
	2557	$21,275.00	DELUXE PAIR OF EMPIRE POCKET/MUFF FLINTLOCK PISTOLS BY NICHOLAS NOEL BOUTET. SN NSN. Cal. approx 50, smooth bore. 1-1/4″ turn off bbl utilizing a lug. Stocks of ebony with fish scale checkering around the back edge of the ebony stock to the inner frame screw. Classical carving on butt flats with egg and dart detail bordering around the inner and outer edges. Central motif on butt flat incorporating a rosette and a classical floral sprig. Overall finish is a high burnish finish. A sliding safety on top of frame which engages the frizzen, a drop down trigger integral with the frame. Bbls and frames are sequentially marked “1” and “2” and are marked “Manuf’d a Versailles” around circumference of bbl. Both bbls, at front and rear have classical, linear border engraving. Pistol 1 includes, at underside of the frame, a classical and allegorical Goddess of the Arts suggestive of Apollo. Pistol 1 and 2 feature delicately engraved dragon on left side and right side, respectively, of frame representing “a mythical monster who guarded the gardens of the Hesperides and drew the chariot of Luna (the moon)” (See Herbert G. House, “Man at Arms” Vol 25 No. 5, 2003, page 26). Pistol 1 also includes a classical motif of a siren with globe on the right side, Odysseus and the Seirenes. Pistol 2 shows another classical Greek Seirene, an episode from the Odyssey where Odysseus hears the sirens’ song but does not succumb to their lure because he has been tied to his ship’s mast. On the underside, around trigger, on Pistol 2, is a cock with decorative, floral garland at top of jaw, an allegorical representation of France (as Gaul)(See Herbert G. House, “Man at Arms” Vol 25 No. 5, 2003, page 26). The placement of the cock atop the globe suggests France’s dominance in world affairs. Cocks have elegant detailing of floral engraving at base. Pair of classical birds at fountain on front of frizzen. Boutet’s typical frizzen safety activated by internal spring at top of bbl. An elegant statement of Boutet’s finest styling of the 1795 early Versailles period worthy of the most discriminating collection. PROVENANCE: H.H. Thomas Collection. CONDITION: Both pistols are fine mechanically, excellent. Overall finish of the burnished steel on Pistol 1, left side of frame there is minute and minor pitting. All other surfaces, on both pistols are in excellent condition. 4-36650 DGT1 (10,000-12,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2010 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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