Cased Set of a Flintlock Rifle, a Pair of Pistols, and Accessories
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.
A cased set of this type was among the most luxurious offerings of the Boutet Manufactory. It includes a lavishly decorated rifle, matching pistols, and a full array of tools and accessories necessary to load and unload the weapons or to disassemble them for cleaning or maintenance.
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.
A cased set of this type was among the most luxurious offerings of the Boutet Manufactory. It includes a lavishly decorated rifle, matching pistols, and a full array of tools and accessories necessary to load and unload the weapons or to disassemble them for cleaning or maintenance.
Artwork Details
- Title: Cased Set of a Flintlock Rifle, a Pair of Pistols, and Accessories
- Gunsmith: Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833)
- Date: ca. 1800
- Geography: Versailles
- Culture: French, Versailles
- Medium: Steel, wood (walnut, mahogany), silver, gold, horn, velvet
- Dimensions: L. of rifle 43 1/2 in. (110.5 cm); L. of barrel of rifle 27 5/8 in. (70.2 cm); Cal. of rifle .64 in. (16.3 mm); Wt. of rifle 6 lb. 7 oz. (2920 g); L. of each pistol 17 in. (43.17 cm); L. of barrel 11 5/8 in. (29.53 cm); Cal. of each pistol .52 in. (13.2 mm); Wt. of each pistol 2 lbs. 2 oz. (963.9 g); Dim. of case 46 7/16 x 15 15/16 x 2 3/16 in. (118 x 40.5 x 5.5 cm)
- Classification: Firearms-Guns-Flintlock
- Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1970
- Object Number: 1970.179.1a–q
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Nicolas Noël Boutet
ca. 1795–1805
Nicolas Noël Boutet
ca. 1797–1805
Nicolas Noël Boutet
ca. 1797–1805
Nicolas Noël Boutet
ca. 1797–1805
Nicolas Noël Boutet
ca. 1795–1805
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Showing 4 of 7
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.