This is a very early pocket pistol made by Nicholas-Noël Boutet at the Versailles Manufactory.

We have a very similar, but smaller, pistol in our collection signed “Arq ord du roi” (Ordinary gunmaker to the King) which was likely made shortly after his marriage to Leonie-Emilie Desainte in 1788 when he acquired the title from his father-in-law.

This pistol dates a little later than that, probably around 1792 when the Manufacture de Versailles was formed.

It is an exquisite and rare pistol, beautifully made and decorated, but without the later innovations of roller-bearing frizzen or concealed frizzen spring, and before the incorporation of Boutet’s concealed button-operated safety mechanism.

It takes on the form of a smaller version of a full-size pistol rather than the later, distinctive, “stubby” design.

The stock is beautifully figured and carved in relief with a tassel-like adornment and a scrolls of foliage. The stock is simple, elegant and quite beautiful.

The 42mm turn-off barrel with 12mm bore Is engraved about the muzzle and with a band of foliage on the screw-end of the barrel and breach.

The lock faces are signed in beautiful flower-decorated cursive script “Boutet” on one face and “A Versailles” on the other.

The lock faces, frame around the concealed drop-down trigger, safety slide, frizzen and top-strap are masterfully carved in a geometric pattern.

All screws are carved with unusual attention to detail, including the frizzen pivot and frizzen spring screw.

This is a rare and lovely example of an early Boutet pocket pistol in excellent, near pristine condition.