Officer's Carbine By Boutet

Luxury rifle, from Boutet in Versailles, called "boot carbine" because of the way they were worn by officers.
Octagonal barrel slightly blundered, blued, signed on the upper side "Boutet Directeur Artiste", fixed rear sight, adjustable silver sight, caliber 14 mm, hair stripes alternating with nine large stripes, plain breech tail. Length 48 cm.
Plate with flat body, scalloped and cut at the back, signed "Manufre à Versailles", swan-neck hammer, adjustable trigger, firewall basin, elegantly worked battery spring, under volute guard.
Cut-out iron fittings, patinated bronze, all screws and engraved counterplate rosettes.
Selected walnut stock with long barrel. Cheek carved with foliage, checkered handle.
Fruit wood wand finished with a turned iron tip.
Directory Period - Consulate.
This type of rifle was given as a reward to general officers. This model is very close to those offered by the Manufacture de Versailles to Directors. See rifles of Reubell, Lazare Carnot or Marshal Lannes.
Nicolas Noël BOUTET (1761-1833): arquebusier to the King, then Director of the Versailles Manufacture, from Year II to 1818. He produced bladed and firearms weapons, especially those of reward, honor and great luxury . He acquired an immense international reputation for the quality of execution and the originality of his production. He opened a Manufacture depot in Paris, at 1236 rue de la Loi (rue de Richelieu) in the year XI, then at 87 rue de Richelieu in 1807. He suffered serious financial setbacks during the Restoration, and he found himself private arquebusier, at 23 rue des Filles Saint-Thomas, from 1823 to 1831. He had a son, Pierre Nicolas (1786-1816), who was briefly associated with his activity; this is why weapons from the Boutet company bear the signature BOUTET & FILS.