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LOT 3290
Desirable Pair of Engraved Nicolas Noel Boutet Versailles Manufactory Boxlock Flintlock Pocket Pistols
-A) Versailles Pocket Pistol - NSN, 50 cal., 7/8 inch round bbl., bright
finish, relief carved ebony
grips. These small flintlock
pocket or “muff” pistols are the
same basic form as the pocket
pistols from the famous Napoleon garniture. Boxlock pocket pistols
like this were popular products of Nicolas Noel Boutet, both at Versailles and when he returned to private life in Paris after the fall of Napoleon. Similar examples can be seen in Dean
Taylor’s American Society
of Arms Collectors article
“The Pocket Pistols (Pistolet
l’Ecossaise) of Nicholas Noel Boutet.” They are signed
“Manufre a Versailles” around the barrels. “1” and “2” are respectively marked on the barrel studs and bottom of the
actions at the breech. They have sliding safety buttons on top, folding triggers, and ebony grips with raised relief floral carving
on the sides and scale patterns down the backs. Like the pair from the Napoleon Garniture, this pair has coordinating designs but different engraving patterns. The first pistol has a harpy design on the right, a quadrapedal dragon on the left, and the bust
of a classical figure and martial trophies on the bottom, likely representing Minerva as the shield appears to be the Aegis. The second pistol has fairy winged sphinx style design on the right, a winged canid beast on the left, and an imperial eagle on a globe
on the bottom. The designs are likely based on period illustrations from one or more publications. Patterns from the Napoleon Garniture are known to have been copied from prints by Johann Elias Ridinger. Other patterns throughout are mainly matching, including a pair of birds,
probably swans, drinking on the frizzens and various floral patterns and borders.
CONDITION: Very good with mostly bright polished surfaces, faint engraving and markings, some light pitting, and minor overall wear. The refinished grip is very good and has a repaired crack and distinct carving. Mechanically fine.
B) Versailles Pocket Pistol - NSN, 50 cal., 7/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, ebony grips. See “A.”
CONDITION: Very good with mostly bright polished surfaces, some light silver-gray patina, faint oxidation/pitting, faint engraving, and mild overall wear. The grip is fine and has crisp carving and mild handling and storage marks. Mechanically fine. This is a stunning pistols from the prestigious Versailles Manufactory led by Directeur Artiste Nicolas-Noel
Boutet during the French Revolution and Napoleonic era.
Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr.
Estimate: 6,500 - 11,000
LOT 3291
Concealed Belles & Harrold Boxlock Flintlock Pocket Pistol Mounted Inside “A Complete History of Europe...for the Year 1707” - NSN, 44 cal., 2 inch round bbl., bright finish, absent grips.
This is a very interesting piece: an early 19th century “BELLES &/HARROLD” signed boxlock flintlock pistol with Birmingham proofs that subsequently had its stock removed and then was mounted inside a tin container within a book. If the pistol is loaded and left at half-cock, it could be kept ready. Pulling the “trigger” on the top of the book out will pull back the arm inside the container and pull the cock to full-cock readying it to be fired. Pushing the trigger forward will then fire the pistol. The book is “A Compleat [sic] History of Europe: or, a View of the Affairs Thereof, Civil & Military, for the Year 1707...” listed as printed
in 1709 in London. The first 112 pages remain normal,
and the remainder are glued together to form a solid
body around the metal case for the pistol. The muzzle is pretty much flush with the bottom
of the pages. Hopefully it would only be needed once as a small explosion going off within
a paper book and a muzzle flash right next to paper seems like a recipe for a fire akin to that
time Aaron Burr lit himself on fire trying to light a candle with his flintlock.
CONDITION: Very good. While the pistol and book are antiques, the assembly was done more recently. The pistol has dark brown patina and mild overall ear. The book has old repairs to the cover
and moderate overall wear giving the whole assembly a lot of character. Mechanically fine. This would make an unique gift for a historian or any collector of “curiousa” antique arms.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000 187