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LOT 1270
Rare and Desirable Engraved, Gold
Inlaid, and Carved Boutet Versailles
Manufactory Flintlock Rifled Carbine - NSN,
54 cal., 19 inch octagon bbl., blue/gold/bright finish, walnut
stock. This carbine is being de-accessioned from the famous
George F. Harding Jr. Collection at the Art Institute of Chicago (reference number
1982.2881). The Art Institute identified it as dating to 1800-1804 which would place this
carbine during the Consulate period of the First French Republic while Napoleon was First Consul.
By the time Napoleon had seized power as emperor in 1804, Directeur Artiste Nicholas Noel Boutet (1761-
1833) had assembled a team composed of many of the best artisans in Europe at the Versailles Manufactory
which was previously named the “Manufacture of Carbines” in 1794-1799 and produced carbines for the cavalry
and military officers as well as deluxe presentation carbines. The swamped octagonal barrel is finely rifled and
has a small dovetailed blade front sight and dual inlaid gold bands at the muzzle, “Boutet Directeur Artiste” signed on top, gold
lined vent, gold inlaid scroll and vase designs at the breech, “C.B” marked on the upper left, “N.B” marked on top, “LC” marked on the
upper right, a small dovetailed notch rear sight, and a bright tang. The lock plate is signed “MANUFRE/A VERSAILLES” and has light
engraving on the stepped tail, a rainproof pan, and a frizzen spring roller. The mounts are bright steel. The screws and the lock screw
washers are engraved. The stock has panels of checkering on the forend and wrist, foliate carved grip extension, and a nicely
sculpted elongated cheekpiece with raised relief foliate carving. The length of pull is 13 7/8 inches, and the overall length is
just 34 3/4 inches making this a very handy sporting carbine.
CONDITION: Very good with traces of with original blue finish remaining in the protected areas of the barrel, nearly all of the
bright gold, distinct engraving, bright polished lock plate, mottled gray and brown patina along the barrel and mounts, some
faint pitting, repairs in the stock including splices in the forend, and general mild overall wear. Mechanically excellent. Overall
a very attractive example of a French rifled carbine from Boutet and the Versailles Manufactory in the Napoleonic era.
Provenance: The George F. Harding Jr. Collection; The Art Institute of Chicago.
Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000
LOT 1271
Two Rare Texts from Norman R. Blank’s Library: A Draft Copy of “’M.B.’ - The Gunmakers’ Silversmith” by Bernard
Dickens and “La Manufacture d’Armes de Versailles - Boutet Directeur-Artiste” by Capt. Maurice Bottet - The first
text in the lot is a draft copy of “’M.B’- The Gunmakers’ Silversmith” by Bernard Dickens in 1998 signed as “Draft copy for
Norman R. Blank.” The draft includes handwritten notes. Several of the firearms referenced in the text were part of Mr. Blank’s
collection, including Lot XXX [NMLA60-4095] in the current auction. Only a small number of copies were privately published
by Dickens. The article was published in “The Journal of the Arms and Armour Society” in March 1999. The second text is a
disbound copy of “La Manufacture d’Armes de Versailles-Boutet Directeur-Artiste” by Capitaine Maurice Bottet published by J.
Leroy Fils in Paris in 1903. Only 25 copies of the book were published.
CONDITION: Both are very good with shelf wear, some minor tears and flakes at the edges, and some staining. The second
text is incomplete and has multiple sections absent.
Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500