Cased Set of a Flintlock Rifle, a Pair of Pistols, and Accessories
ca. 1800
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
Culture
French, Versailles
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Fletcher Fund, 1970
Accession Number
1970.179.1a–q
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Step into the opulent world of Napoleonic France with this exquisite cased set of a flintlock rifle, pair of pistols, and, crafted around 1800 by Nicolas Noël Boutet, the gunsmith and director of the Royal Armory at Versailles.et, often hailed as the finest gunsmith of his era, produced these firearms not just as weapons, but as marvels of artistry, blending deadly precision with lavish decoration fit for emperors and dignitaries. Forged from high-quality steel with barrels of stunning symmetry, the set features richly figured walnut and mahogany stocks inlaid with silver, gold, horn, and velvet accents. The rifle measures an imposing 43½ inches long, weighing over six pounds, while the matching pistols are elegantly proportioned at 17 inches each. Housed in a fitted case of refined dimensions, every element—from intricate engravings to polished mounts—showcases Boutet's technical virtuosity and aesthetic refinement, elevating functional arms to the status of sculpture. This French masterpiece from Versailles embodies the cultural zenith of 18th- to 19th-century gunmaking, where military innovation met royal extravagance. Likely a presentation piece during the Revolutionary or Napoleonic wars, it highlights how firearms became symbols of power and prestige, now preserved at The Metropolitan Museum of Art through the Fletcher Fund. A testament to human ingenuity, it invites us to admire the delicate balance of beauty and lethality.
About the Artist
Nicolas Noël Boutet · 1761–1833
French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833