Despite not carrying any of the commonly known signatures for the Versailles Manufactory or Nicholas-Noël Boutet, these pistols are attributed to Boutet, as they carry his personal poiçon (punch mark),  described in detail in “La Manufacture d’armes de Versailles de Nicholas-Noël Boutet” produced for the Musée Lambert in 1993 and mentioned by Boutet expert Dean Taylor in his article for The Canadian Journal Arms – Collecting Vol.20,No4 of 1982.

These pistols showcase the skills of the gunmaker, engraver and wood carver to a degree rarely seen.

The lock panels each carry a different engraving, likely from the pattern book of Ignace Joseph Chevalier de Claussin (1766-1844). International experts have opined that the engravings are the work of Montagny, however, the chiselling on these pistols is far deeper than is usually found on his works: –

1. A Saddled horse eating hay, from an etching by Italian artist Stefano Della Bella (1610-1654). This etching is also found on a Boutet pocket pistol in the Polish Army Museum.
2. A Bull from an etching by Stefano Della Bella. This etching is also found on a Boutet pocket pistol in our collection.
3. A resting lion from an etching by Marcus del Bey (1638-1688).
4. A wild boar, source unknown.

The pan and pivot mount along with the pivot screw are all deeply and intricately chiselled flower and foliage designs on a Pointillé background.

The concealed safety, operated by a button, locks the frizzen in the closed position and the hammer at half-cock.

The drop-down trigger and underframe carry a male face surrounded by bowls of flowers and foliage, it is almost impossible to detect the trigger when it is retracted into the frame.

The breach, just below the pan, carries Boutet’s unmistakable personal punch consisting of the letters “NB” separated by a dot and enclosed within a split wreath within an oval.

The hammer and top-jaw are also fully engraved.

The pistols are marked 1 & 2.

The stocks are a true work of art, the level of detail is breathtaking, the photographs go some way to demonstrate the detail and craftsmanship, but they need to be seen and held to be truly appreciated.

The pistols are housed in a brass-bound nautical-style case, French fitted with green velvet and red piping. In addition to the pistols, the case houses a polished combined barrel wrench and bullet mould, a horn and silver handled screwdriver with an ornately engraved blade, a two-part steel and wire-brush barrel cleaner, and a round flask made from horn panels and horn frame with silver fittings.

There is also a silver or pewter oil bottle