Nicholas Noel Boutet (1761–1833) is one of France's most renown gunmakers and served both King Louis XVI and Napoleon. This pistol reflects the more floral style popular under the Bourbons and appears to be an older pistol updated with Boutet locks. It has rifled, Damascus barrels with a blade front sight on the rib. The standing breech has a wide dished rear sights. The right lock is signed "Boutet/Directeur," and the left has "Manufacture/a Versailles." There is some light floral engraving. The stock has raised floral carving at the upper tang and some silver wire inlays on the back. Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr

Fair with light twist patterns and finish remaining on the barrel, gray and brown patina on the balance, some mild oxidation and pitting, poor fit of the locks and barrels, a small dent in the right barrel at the breech, cracked and chipped stock with some repairs, and moderate overall wear. Mechanically fine.