#262 • Cased Pair of French Target Pistols by Louis-Marin Gosset Apprentice to Nicholas Noel Boutet

Part of The Ray Howser Firearms Collection, 1931-2026 (timed auction by Lewis & Grant Auctions)

Starting at $2,000.00

Status: Available

Live bidding starts Nov 20, 2026 10:00 AM EST

.50 caliber, 10.5" Octagonal flared barrels with target sights, NSN. A Splendid Cased Pair Of Very Fine Quality Early French Percussion Dueling Pistols By Gosset Apprentice To Nicholas Noel Boutet of The Manufacture de Versailles Circa 1830. Louis-Marin Gosset stands as one of the most elite figures in French gunmaking, having served as a direct assistant to Nicolas-Noël Boutet at the celebrated Versailles State Arms Factory from 1793 to 1813. Boutet, recognized globally as the "Arquebusier de l'Empereur" to Napoleon Bonaparte and the royal court, passed his unmatched standards of decorative luxury and mechanical perfection directly to Gosset. Octagonal barrels of the finest Damascus steel. Double bolted casehardened front action locks inlaid in gold “FINI PAR GOSSET A PARIS (‘Finished by Gosset a Paris’). Finely engraved hammers. Casehardened spurred triggerguards. Highly figured walnut half stocks finely checkered at wrist. Butts relief carved with casehardened skull crusher pommels. The pistols preserved in pristine, near mint condition with vivid case colors, bright Damascus pattern, beautiful pristine wood with ultra crisp checkering. Pistols are cased with full accessories including mint casehardened bullet mold, fine and rare plunger horn powder flask, rosewood handle turnscrew, two cleaning rods in original green baize lined case in excellent condition. Additionally there is a letter with the St. Etienne frank dated May of 1831 addressed to “Monsieur Gosset Arquebusier” address No. 18 Paris as well as a business card of Gosset’s successor Pirmet stating that he received a gold medal in the Exposition of 1839. A fine and complete French cased set in extraordinary condition throughout with very rare period paperwork suitable for the most advanced collection of cased dueling pistols.