This circa 1800 light flintlock fusil is of delicate proportions and originates from the famous factory at Versailles. It features a fire blued smoothbore barrel with a small bayonet stud on the bottom near the muzzle, a rounded blade front sight, gilt girdle at the transition point, gold around the vent, and "BC" (upper left), "NB" and "NB" monogram (top), and "LC" (right) makers' marks lined in gold. The lock is signed "Manufre/a Versailles," and the furniture is burnished steel. Figured three quarter length walnut stock. Nicolas-Noel Boutet (1761-1833) became gunmaker-in-ordinary to King Louis XVI in 1788, the artistic director of the newly formed arms factory at Versailles in 1792, then its head director in 1798, and continued to work under direction of Napoleon. The factory manufactured regulation weapons for the French military as well as some of the finest presentation arms ever made. Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection

Very fine with 95% plus original fire blue finish along the barrel, flaking gold at the vent, bright lock and furniture with some light patination mainly on the trigger guard extension, and minimal light age and storage related wear. The stock is also very fine and has smooth finish and a few light dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.