Nicolas Noël Boutet Sold at Auction Prices

Rare French flintlock pistol by Nicolas-Noel Boutet

Rare French flintlock pistol by Nicolas-Noel Boutet first quarter 19th century carved and checkered stock mounted with ornate gilt inlaid barrels engraved: Boutet Duccleaux Artiste, Manufacture a Versaille; and each flintlock mount engraved: Maniy Versaille. L11" Provenance: Property from a California private collection. Other Notes: Nicolas-Noel Boutet (1761-1833). French gunsmith working in the service of Louis XVI (1774-1792) as Directeur-artiste of the Manufacture d'Armes de Versaille and at the Revolution became technical director of the state arms factory. White working as a manager he also made decorated swords and luxury firearms, some for Napoleon (c. 1804-14). Boutet is regarded as the last of the great artist-gunsmiths.