Lot Essay
A total of seventy-three blunderbusses of this type were manufactured at Versailles, of which forty-eight were produced in 1806. It is believed that possibly not more than sixteen examples survive.
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MARKED FOR 1806
Details
A VERY RARE FRENCH FIRST EMPIRE REGULATION FLINTLOCK BLUNDERBUSS FOR THE MAMELOUK LIGHT CAVALRY SQUADRON OF THE GARDE IMPÉRIALE, SIGNED ENT. BOUTET, MRE IMPLE DE VERSAILLES
Marked for 1806
With iron two-stage barrel belled towards the muzzle, signed 'Ent.Boutet' (rubbed), struck with controller's mark of Pierre Bouny (Versailles 1794-1807) and stamped '12B' above the pan (for AN XII), regulation lock struck with the mark of Andre Niçaise (réviseur à Versailles, this mark used from March 1808), stamped with the manufactory inscription 'Mre Imple de Versailles', figured pale walnut half-stock with controller's stamp of Jean-Baptiste Deschaseaux (Versailles 1806-18) and the butt with a large circular stamp behind the cheekpiece (indistinct), regulation brass mounts all with further Versailles marks, iron saddle-ring, and original iron trumpet-shaped ramrod (the stock with small filled repairs).
31½in (80cm)
Marked for 1806
With iron two-stage barrel belled towards the muzzle, signed 'Ent.Boutet' (rubbed), struck with controller's mark of Pierre Bouny (Versailles 1794-1807) and stamped '12B' above the pan (for AN XII), regulation lock struck with the mark of Andre Niçaise (réviseur à Versailles, this mark used from March 1808), stamped with the manufactory inscription 'M
31½
Literature
Alaric and Etienne, L'arsenal ambulant des Mamelouks de la Garde Impériale, les armes à feu, G.d.A, No. 287, April 1998.
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.