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Lot Essay
The Manufacture Imperiale de Versailles was the atelier of Nicholas Boutet who produced many high quality firearms, including the 'Armes d'Honneur et de Recompense' presented to individual soldiers for acts of bravery.
The 'Carabine de Versailles' was the first rifle used in the French Army by 'Voltigeurs' (skirmishers) of the Imperial Guard.
Carefully designed and with excellent workmanship, these rifled carbines were not popular in the army and less than 3000 were made. Difficulty of loading was the main cause of concern with ramming a 14.5 mm. bullet into 13.5mm rifling. This took too long in field action and the lack of a bayonet exposed users against cavalry.
The 'Carabine de Versailles' was the first rifle used in the French Army by 'Voltigeurs' (skirmishers) of the Imperial Guard.
Carefully designed and with excellent workmanship, these rifled carbines were not popular in the army and less than 3000 were made. Difficulty of loading was the main cause of concern with ramming a 14.5 mm. bullet into 13.5mm rifling. This took too long in field action and the lack of a bayonet exposed users against cavalry.