Rock Island Auction Company is honored to offer for sale an extraordinarily rare, high conditioned, early 19th century exhibition quality four gun garniture manufactured by renowned French gunsmith Nicolas Noel Boutet. Boutet (1761-1833) was named the director of the Versailles Arms Manufactory in 1792. Under the reign of Napoleon, Boutet oversaw the production of firearms for the French Army and grand master works of firearm art richly decorated for the military and political elite. Examples of his work reside in prestigious museums around the world such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Each gun has been expertly period converted from flintlock configuration. The first in the set are two 12 mm pistols. The swamped octagonal twist barrel features dramatic gold inlaid bands at the breech. Each band references a crown motif. The top barrel flat has a gold inlaid arrow followed by the number "438" towards the muzzle. The upper left and right barrel flats feature maker markings in gold, which read, "Boutet et Fils" and "a Versailles". The breech plug has gold inlaid bands and proof marks. The lock plate is signed "Boutet et Fils/a Versailles" at the front and features a fine engraved game scene. A mythical fire breathing flying serpent like creature is engraved on the side of the hammer. Other mythical flying creatures are engraved on the large lock plate escutcheon, trigger guard and upper tang. The lock plate escutcheons have deep relief engraved scallops for an added dramatic effect. The scallop pattern appears again on the artfully sculpted spur trigger guard. The trigger guard finial is engraved with a rooster and floral pattern. The screws are floral engraved. The pistol is equipped with a single set trigger and is fitted with fixed gold sights with a sighting groove on the barrel. The nicely figured half stock features a fine multi-point checkered pattern on the grip area. The flared butt has a high relief carved ebony cap with raised scalloped pommel. The single barrel wedge has a gold escutcheon. The green velvet lined rosewood case holds the four pistols and various original accessories including case key, horn and silver flask, 2 bullet molds, oil bottle, bullet setter rods, paper cap box, mallet, hammer, and screwdriver. This four gun set was once part of the Charles Draeger collection, which was sold by Sotheby's in 1987. A major facet Draeger's collection focused excessively on "the artistic skill and technical sophistication of the masters Boutet and LePage," noted Sotheby's at the time of the auction. This set was a highlight of the collection and today this museum quality specimen remains a testament to master gunsmith Boutet's legacy.

Exceptionally fine. The barrel retains nearly 75% original twist pattern with the balance a smooth gray patina. The remaining metal surfaces have a very attractive bright appearance. The engraving is crisp. The stock is also excellent with a minor crack on the butt, otherwise a few scattered minor handling marks overall. The checkering is crisp. Mechanically excellent. Both muff pistols are excellent overall. The case is fine showing a couple of age cracks on the lid and minor handling/storage marks overall with the lining showing some high spot wear.

As described in "A" but with reimagined engraved motifs on various components including the lock plate, lock plate escutcheon, trigger guard finial, trigger guard, and barrel tang. See images.

Exceptionally fine. The barrel retains nearly 75% original twist pattern with the balance a smooth gray patina. The remaining metal surfaces have a very attractive bright appearance. The engraving is crisp. The stock is also excellent with a minor crack on the butt, otherwise some scattered minor handling marks. The checkering is crisp. Mechanically excellent.

As described in "D" with the following differences. The number "2" is marked on the underside of the barrel and frame. A different pastoral scene is engraved on the frame with the bird scene featuring a family of ducks. See images.

Excellent. Overall the pistol has a very attractive bright appearance. The engraving is crisp. The grip is also excellent with limited minor handling marks. All of the grip lays remain. Mechanically excellent.

The second set of pistols are 14 mm. A pastoral scene is engraved on both sides of the frame. The top of the frame is boldly signed "BOUTET/DIRECTEUR/ARTISTE." The upper tang is covered in a full floral engraving and is fitted with a thumb safety, which is also engraved. The underside of the frame has a floral engraving and an engraved bird scene that extends to the folding trigger. The bird scene shows a mother hen desperately trying to protect her remaining chicks from a victorious raptor. The hammer exhibits a floral engraving on the sides and a full geometric engraving on the top with knurling on the spur. The breech of the frame has a fine high relief engraved wide band which incorporates floral blossoms and geometric patterns. The top of the barrel is signed "MANUFre/A VERSAILLES" and a fine band engraving is featured at the muzzle. The number "1" is marked on the underside of the barrel and frame. The nicely figured walnut grip is adorned with engraved floral motif silver inlays covering over half of the surfaces including the back edge of the grip.

Excellent. Overall the pistol has a very attractive bright appearance. The engraving is crisp. The grip is also excellent with limited minor handling marks. All of the grip lays remain. Mechanically excellent.