Fine and Extremely Rare Upright Cased Pair of Flintlock Pocket Pistols by Boutet in Fairfield, ME

SN four (1& 2). Cal. 50 smooth bore. Nicholas Noel Boutet worked with his son, Pierre-Nicholas Boutet at Versailles from 1804 until Pierre's death in 1816. The pistols feature 1.5in turn off barrels, center hammers, push on safeties, finely checkered ebony grips, 6ins overall. The left side of the frames is beautifully engraved in block letters, ìBOUTET ET FILSî and the right side ìA VERSAILLESî. The frames are simply but masterfully engraved with vines and leaves. The muzzles are engraved in relief in a scalloped design. The hammers, frizzens, top jaws, and pans are all engraved as well. As with all genuine Boutets these pistols are of the very highest quality throughout. Pistols are cased in their very rare, original burgundy Morocco leather covered wood, upright case. A pair of more elaborate Boutet pocket pistols in a similar case is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This case is lined in its original green velvet. Accessories comprise a 3 position turnscrew, vent pick, and a single cavity bullet mold with sprue cutter and barrel wrench. The case is finely tooled with gilt borders, interior edges, and base as well as the original owner's monogram, ìDMî or ìMDî. Nicholas Noel Boutet is universally recognized as the foremost arms designer of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Versailles factory produced deluxe arms of such quality and artistry that they were not only prized by Napoleon and every other monarch in Europe but of such splendor as to be sought after by royalty for inclusion in their private collections from the Hermitage in St. Petersburg to Windsor Castle. Boutet is simply the ultimate marque in magnificent arms deluxe. While the present set is relatively sober and restrained in its decoration, the quality is equal to that of any of the most elaborate Versailles productions. PROVENANCE