France, 2nd Restoration (1815-1830). - Lot 129

France, 2nd Restoration (1815-1830). Rare Louis XVIII royal hunting rifle, model 1816 by CAZES Arquebusier du Roi à PARIS, converted to percussion. Cal. 16 mm. Burnished steel barrel with thundered then blued sides, engraved on the upper three sides with a flaming urn, a trophy and a radiating fleur-de-lys, and on the sides with two columns ending in foliage, engraved on the right side with the number "15". The breech tail is engraved with foliage and scrolls, also bearing the number "15" in a round cartouche. Cut-out silver receiver engraved with a radiating background, resting on bouquets of flowers and foliage. Flat-bodied steel lock, engraved and signed "CAZES Arquebusier du Roi à Paris", the lock tail engraved with the Arms of France. Walnut stock with long squared shaft carved with foliage and palmettes, with green morocco cheek pad edged with studded silver flat braid. The silver trim is cut and engraved with foliage, scrolls and geometric friezes. They are hallmarked with the rooster 1st title of Paris 1809/1819 and the Master Goldsmith "FC" under a small crown in a rhombus. The trigger guard is engraved with a fleur-de-lys in a diamond-shaped cartouche. The trigger guard tail is engraved with the number "n°15". The lower housing of the ramrod is engraved with a radiating fleur-de-lys in a shield. Silver thumbpiece with the crowned arms of France. Fanon rod with blond horn tip. All screw heads are guilloché. This rifle was probably converted to percussion at the end of the 2nd Restoration. (Damaged hammer, fractured tip, otherwise good condition, patina of age and wear). 138.5 cm. Provenance Sologne family estate. These rifles were used in royal residences by the King and his guests during hunting parties. This Restoration rifle model is rare and was made in small series, unlike the consular and imperial models, which are either reuses of Louis XVI rifles, or new LE PAGE designs based on the same type. These converted percussion rifles are most frequently encountered. Several identical rifles are known, including a model in the Musée de l'Armée collections, made by CAZES, the King's harquebusier. It bears the number "17". CAZES: family of harquebusiers in Paris. Jean, harquebusier to the King from 1740 to 1785. Jean-Marie, harquebusier in Paris in 1798/1825, 71 rue des Fossés.