Plus a 15% Buyer's Premium of $431,250.00.

Incredible! Very long listing. More descriptions and numerous more pics at link.

https://www.rockislandauction....660c8a4ceb-232803125



This incredible set of fine arms from the Versailles Manufactory has been famous as the “Napoleon garniture” for over two centuries since it was first put on display in 1816 in London as part of an exhibition at the Oplotheca at No. 20, Lower Brook Street, Bond Street promoted by Thomas Gwenapp. This exhibition came on the heels of Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo and his final abdication and exile. Thus, this garniture was proudly displayed as a symbol of the victory of the British and their allies. Waterloo remains one of the most significant battles in European and world history and brought to a violent end Napoleon's reign in France and his campaigns across much of the continent that had cost millions of lives. Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, however, did not undue many of the changes brought to Europe by Napoleon and the French revolutionaries such as the proliferation of the Napoleonic Code and republican ideals. The values of the French Revolution continue to define French society to this day and led to further revolutions and forever changed Europe and the world.

The garniture remains among the most significant set of arms from the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars in private hands, and its ties to Napoleon's rise from relative obscurity to emperor make it particularly fascinating, historically significant, and valuable. Its history reaches back to the years when Napoleon was still a rising star in the young and tumultuous French Republic. It consists of a rifled carbine, pair of rifled carriage pistols, pair of pocket pistols, and a "glaive" sword and scabbard. Each of these incredible arms originates from the renowned Versailles Manufactory led by Nicolas-Noel Boutet (1761-1833) and were beautifully embellished by the artisans under Boutet's direction. Boutet remains one of the most renowned European armsmakers in history both in terms of the quality of his arms and in terms of his artistry. It is very easy to see why when examining any of the individual pieces of this garniture, and ever more evident when the set is examined as a whole.

The individual arms have varying designs, but also often use symbols and motifs featured on other arms in the set bringing cohesion to the garniture and representing some of the finest work in French armsmaking history. In general, the various arms are reflective of the earlier rococo style of arms from Boutet compared to the later "empire style" arms which have heavier Greco-Roman and Egyptian influence following Napoleon’s conquest in Egypt and his coronation as Napoleon I, Emperor of the French. Given the quality of these arms, it is no surprise that the former royal gunmaker of the Ancien Regime was given an 18 year concession by Napoleon as First Consul. While Napoleon reigned as Emperor of the French, some of the most incredible "de luxe" firearms the world has ever seen were designed by Boutet and crafted by his talented team of specialized artisans. Many of those pieces were commissioned by Napoleon himself as presentation pieces for his officers, political allies, and foreign dignitaries as well as for the emperor himself and his family. In addition to finely embellished arms, Boutet was also responsible for providing over 150,000 firearms and swords for Napoleon's armies and thus was involved in Napoleon's military conquests more directly.

That is incredible!

It's gotta feel bizarre and surreal to actually touch such an infamous piece of history.

Fascinating.

I was outbid at the last minute by $2.00

I am saving for when his penis is up for auction. I will probably be a few hundreds of thousands of dollars short but maybe the current owner would be willing to trade for pallettes of Vienna Sausages and/or Beanie Weanies.

Garish yet beautiful

Some nice wall-hangers there, I hope the buyer has the balls to load and shoot them!

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
Plus a 15% Buyer's Premium of $431,250.00.

Do you think you will karma any of these, or will you just display them??

^^^^^^

I wonder if any museums go in on the bidding. I am actually surprised it did not go for more.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
I was outbid at the last minute by $2.00

Sorry. It was more than I wanted to spend, but what the heck, it's Christmas. Now I have to get some IWB kydex holsters made.

Not to worry...a little dremmeling, a few well placed lightening relief milled cuts, a couple optics cuts, a couple barrel weights and compensators, a splash of cerakote in Kryptek, and some Umbrella corps. laser engravings and we'll have those old guns looking new and ready for the next race season...



...naw...I may not have the means to own them or even a suitable place to display them, but they are magnificent nontheless. Just to marvel at a moment in history that they were a part of.

quote:

Originally posted by mr kablammo:
I am saving for when his penis is up for auction. I will probably be a few hundreds of thousands of dollars short but maybe the current owner would be willing to trade for pallettes of Vienna Sausages and/or Beanie Weanies.

I know I'm going to regret asking this... but what would you do with it if you won? New wallet? Paper weight? Dog toy?

quote:

Originally posted by Modern Day Savage:
Not to worry...a little dremmeling, a few well placed lightening relief milled cuts, a couple optics cuts, a couple barrel weights and compensators, a splash of cerakote in Kryptek, and some Umbrella corps. laser engravings and we'll have those old guns looking new and ready for the next race season...



...naw...I may not have the means to own them or even a suitable place to display them, but they are magnificent nontheless. Just to marvel at a moment in history that they were a part of.

quote:

Originally posted by mr kablammo:
I am saving for when his penis is up for auction. I will probably be a few hundreds of thousands of dollars short but maybe the current owner would be willing to trade for pallettes of Vienna Sausages and/or Beanie Weanies.

I know I'm going to regret asking this... but what would you do with it if you won? New wallet? Paper weight? Dog toy?

Well, firstly I respectfully offer up my regrets in the direction of Houston with remorse for drunk posting in Dr. Q's sincere thread. Introducing Napolean's pickled wee wee-wee was rather off topic. I did work for a Doctor of Urology for a year and he did sometimes banter about these historical oddities. IIRC, Boney's wee wee-wee is on Long Island.

If I owned Boney's bone? As Will Rogers said of real estate, they aren't making more of it.

Regarding the garniture, unique and spectacular indeed. As has been said of many collectibles, you are not the owner you are the caretaker.

Line 4 of the text - for 'undue' read 'undo'.

Ay thenk you.