This pair is one of just a total of 510 pairs (123 pairs 1814 and 387 pairs in 1815) manufactured at the royal arms manufactory in Maubeuge for the Gardes du Corps du Roi (the Life/Body Guards of King Louis XVIII) during the Bourbon Restoration and 100 Days. This unit was part of the Maison Militaire du Roi de France and had historical counterparts reaching back centuries and was reformed when Louis XVIII took the throne but only around 450 men from across the entire household units accompanied the king in his flight upon Napoleon's return. The Gardes du Corps du Roi, unlike most of the household units, continued to exist during the second restoration and was finally dissolved after the July Revolution in 1830. The smoothbore barrels have "Garde du Corps du Roi" in gold script and gold "CA" marks for inspector C. Alphand and bands at the breech end. The locks are marked "Maubeuge/Manufactre Rle" and have some floral engraving on the screws. The brass furniture includes a fleur-de-lis style finial on the trigger guards and oval escutcheon with three fleurs-de-lis surrounded by a laurel wreath and topped by the French crown. The stocks have small cartouches on the top of the wrists and left flats. The iron ramrods have trumpet shaped tips.

Very good with strong original gold at the breech end and faint Gardes du Corps du Roi inscription with stronger gold at the front and rear, dark brown patina and mild oxidation/pitting on the balance of the barrel, mottled gray patina and some mild pitting on the lock, aged patina on the furniture, and mild overall wear. The refinished stock is also very good and has mild dings and scratches, a few insect holes/marks, and good cartouches. Mechanically fine.

See "A." Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr

Very good with half of the original gold and clear markings on the barrel, mottled brown on the balance, mottled gray patina on the lock, mild oxidation/pitting, aged patina on the furniture, and mild overall wear. The refinished stock is also very good and has numerous small insect spots on the wrist and mild dings and scratches. Mechanically fine.