The Revolution of 1789 and the subsequent rise of Napoleon, first as consul (1799–1804) and then as emperor (1804–14), brought about a dramatic change in the design and decoration of French firearms. The principal innovator was Nicholas-Noël Boutet (1761–1833), who was named directeur-artiste of the newly formed Versailles Arms Manufactory in 1792. While the Versailles factory was the principal producer of regulation weapons for the French armies, Boutet was also charged with creating richly decorated arms for presentation to military heroes and foreign heads of state.

Firearms of this period, like the rifle illustrated, show an unequaled technical perfection and precision of workmanship. The delicate Rococo style associated with the ancien régime was abandoned and replaced by the more masculine classicism of the Empire style with its references to Greco-Roman and Egyptian motifs. Gunstocks were inlaid with engraved sheet silver and gold, and the mounts were often of heavy silver cast in bold relief. The decoration included trophies of arms and scenes of classical battles and victories that implied France's military glory.

Inscription: Rifle: Barrel (serial number, at side) 55 (makers mark, underneath) DB within wreath. Pistols: Barrels (serial number, at side) 56 Locks (inidentified lockmaker, insdie) JQ Assembly marks: X,  (These marks found on almost every individual part of lock, stock and barrel of pistols; they also occur on carbine, but are less numerous) Inscriptons: Rifle: Barrel (in script, along top): Boutet Directeur Artiste Manufrre a Versailles Lockplate: BOUTET a Versailles Escutcheon (in Cyrillic): Nicolai Pompeyevich Shabelski Stock (stamped beneath sideplate): NICHOLAS DE CHABELSKY ST RAPHAEL VAR FRANCE Rifle: Buttplate: 29·NOVEMBER·1900·PARIS Pistols: Barrels (in script, along top): Boutet a Versailles Lockplates: BOUTET a Versailles Triggerguards (in Cyrillic): Nicolai pompeyevich Shabelski (in monogram) NS Accessories: Powderflask: Entreprise Boutet Manufacre a Versailles Case (on silver escutcheon): Manuf* a Versailles Entrepse Boutet Hallmarks (1) octagon containing cock with number 1 to left (official assay mark - poinçon de titre - denoting first standard silver (0.950) for period 1798-1809) (2) oval containing number 88 separated by head of old man (excise mark - poinçon de garantie - used in Seine-Inférieure Départment for large-sized work, 1798-1809) (3) lozenge containing initials JM separated by pellet, five pointed star above, seven pellets below in form of grape cluster (maker's mark, unidentified)

Ex coll.: Bidal (?); G. Diderrich