Cased Pair of Flintlock Pistols with Accessories
Medium
Steel, gold, wood (walnut, mahogany), silver, tortoiseshell, velvet
Dimensions
L. of each pistol 15 1/4 in. (38.7 cm); L. of each barrel 9 3/8 in. (23.8 cm); Cal. of barrel 28.196.1a, .48 in. (12 mm); Cal. of barrel 28.196.1b, .49 in. (12 mm); Wt. of each pistol 2 lb. 5 oz. (1050 g)
Classification
Firearms-Pistols
Culture
French, Paris
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1928
Accession Number
28.196.1a, b, .2a–l
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Step into the opulent world of Napoleonic France with this exquisite *Cased Pair of Flintlockols with Accessories*, crafted around 1810 by master gunsmiths François Pirmet and Nicolas Boutet in Paris. Measuring 15¼ inches long with 9⅜-inch barrels, these steel pistols—chambered at .48 and .49 caliber—weigh a substantial 2 pounds 5 ounces each, balancing lethal precision with stunning artistry. Housed in a fitted case, they come complete with accessories, embodying the era's fusion of military utility and elite luxury. Boutet, director of the imperial arms manufactory at Versailles, was renowned for producing firearms for Napoleon Bonaparte and his officers. During the Napoleonic Wars, such pistols were not mere weapons but symbols of status, carried by high-ranking cavalrymen or courtiers. This pair reflects the height of French gunsmithing, where functionality met imperial grandeur amid the tumult of empire-building. The pistols dazzle with intricate gold and silver inlays on blued steel, tortoiseshell accents, and velvet-lined interiors on walnut and mahogany woods. These techniques—精细 engraving, damascening, and fine inlay work—elevated firearms to sculptural masterpieces, showcasing Paris's preeminence in decorative arts. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1928, they now grace the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arms and Armor collection, inviting us to admire the craftsmanship that armed history's turning points.
About the Artist
François Pirmet|Nicolas Noël Boutet (French|French) · 1779 |1807 –1854 |1810
French, Paris, recorded 1779–1818|French, Paris, recorded 1807–10