Rating and value of arms from the Versailles factory by Nicolas Boutet

If you own a Boutet gun, and would like to know its value, or if you don't know, the period and model of your gun, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will offer you their appraisal services. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your weapon, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on today's market. Then, if you wish to sell your property, we'll guide you towards the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.  

Rating and value of Boutet arms

Boutet guns are highly sought-after by collectors. However, price differences can be considerable, depending on model and state of preservation. Nowadays, prices for these items can rise considerably under the auctioneer's hammer. Buyers from all over the world are interested in the sale of certain rare pieces. The price at which they are sold on the art market ranges from €260 to €331,760, at the moment, a substantial difference but one that says a lot about the value that can be attributed to these weapons. The boxed set that belonged to Tolstoy, including two flintlock pistols made by Nicolas Boutet, sold for €120,000, whereas its estimate was between €120,000 and €150,000.

Value order ranging from simple to prestigious

History of the Versailles factory

The Manufacture d'Armes de Versailles was created in 1793 to meet the growing need for firearms. Nicolas Noël Boutet was its director-artist, and it is mainly he who has left his mark on the history of the factory. He was appointed by the provisional legislative assembly, but the Consulate kept the same organization and management. Production at the Consultat took a different path. Created to produce weapons of war, Consul Bonaparte was to have weapons of honor and decoration produced in Versailles under his government. It employed over 400 workers and closed its doors in 1818, having failed to survive the fall of the Empire.

The success of Boutet flintlock pistols in collections    

Flintlock pistols are very popular at auction, as they are a sought-after collector's item. Production was very substantial, as this mechanism was used for a long time and equipped many armies, but Boutet's remains exceptional.

The more famous and esteemed the model, the higher the value of the weapon. This was the case with Tolstoy's pistols and Napoleon I's pistols.

Reasons to auction a Boutet gun  

If you own a Boutet gun or a gun from the Manufacture de Versailles, and you don't know how to sell it, auctions are a solution. Many collectors are looking for older models.

These objects are not just weapons, but a historical testimony to the scientific evolution of weapons design. 

Knowing the value of a Boutet gun

If you happen to own a Boutet gun from any period and would like to know its value, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using the form on our website. A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your piece, as well as any relevant information about it. If you wish to sell your property, our specialists will also be on hand to offer you alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account market trends.