A pair of cased Consulate flintlock Pistols by Boutet

dating: late 18th Century provenance: Versailles, Octagonal, microrifled, 15 mm. cal. barrels, with a bell-mouthed nozzle, on the breech are three marks: 'NB' (Nicolas Boutet), 'BC' and 'LO', framed with a spider-web design, gold vase and lozanges, the left side is marked 'Boutet Directeur Artiste', the right one 'Manufacture a Versailles', on the nozzle are a foresight and gilded rings; elegant and thin locks marked 'Boutet Directeur Artiste', and 'Manuf. A Versailles', the plates' and cocks' borders are finely engraved with triangles; the springs, the batteries and the cock's back have chiseled curls, the screws are engraved with flowers; sealing and anti-friction system, gold-lined vents; briarwood full-stocks with fine microcheckered stocks, empire-style engraved steel mounts; set trigger, bone-tipped wooden ramrods with brass cartridge extractor. In a briarwood (slightly damaged) case with brass mounts, the inside is entirely covered with green Morocco leather; with tools such as a bulle mould, an iron-headed hammer and a wooden one, a screwdriver, a cow-horn flask, and more (the key is missing). Fine pair of Consulate Officer pistols, with the well-known quality of Boutet; similar examples can be found in all of the major museums' collection and in important private collections. length 41 cm.