Boutet Napoleonic Carabine de Versailles Muzzleloader .557 Rifles

Carabine de Versailles Model An XII. A very rare French rifled flintlock musket made by Nicolas Noel Boutet at the Manufacture Nationale de Versailles circa 1804.

The rifle measures 104cm overall, with a barrel length of 65cm. The lock is marked ‘Manuf. De Versailles. It has a brass pan and a goose necked cock, all apparently original. It has had the addition of an inlaid brass foresight and a twin leaf rear sight, along with 6 grooves running the length of the barrel. This may indicate the use of the weapon, or embellishments made by an officer, such changes being rather common to these guns. Some of these guns were sent to the Navy or Mameluke troops in Napoleon's armed forces, as they were not popular with the infantry, for whom they were intended. The barrel has 7 groove rifling, which is very clean. The lock action functions well, and the rifle is in very good condition overall. The walnut stock has ‘CC’ stamped into it behind the cheekpiece.

The wooden ramrod is short and not original.

A lovely rare gun, with only 2012 made, by the foremost French gunmaker of his time.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.