Fancy French Blunderbuss, c1750

[dana_w]

I have speculated that blunderbusses like this were likely carried by an attendant to one of the gilded coaches that you can see at Museu Nacional dos Coches the National Coach Museum in Lisbon, Portugal. I am looking for period art that shows a blunderbuss with a fancy French coach. Most of the images I've found are more pedestrian, like English Mail coaches.

I would also like to find any additional information I can about the maker.

Fancy French Blunderbuss, c1750

This fancy French blunderbuss was made by Louis Lamotte in St. Etienne France, circa 1750. St. Etienne has been well known for arms making since the 16th century. It was even briefly named Armeville (Arms Town) during the French Revolution (1789–1799). The Lamotte family made luxury firearms in the area during most of the 18th and 19th century.

A blunderbuss could be considered to be an early form of a shotgun. This one is obviously a luxury item with silver and gold decorations is high relief. The decorations include flags, drums, cannons, cannon balls and other “trophies of war”, along with floral decoration, wreaths, scrolls, fruits, and horns of plenty.

Right now I am looking for more information on Louis Lamotte and his family. Volume I of “Le Qui est qui de l'arme en France de 1350 a 1970” (The Who's Who of the weapon in France from 1350 to 1970), on page 241 list “Lamotte Louis - Arquebusier a Saint-Etienne (Loire) en 1740-1760”. According to "Der Neue Stockel" (vol. 1, pg. 677) “Jean Louis Lamotte worked in St. Etienne, France 1747-1791, was the son of Joseph Lamotte and was known for his hunting weapons.”



Images (C) 2019 by Dana K. Williams, all rights reserved
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[Battara]

Nice complete piece. I especially love the gold work on the barrel.

Since this is European, I will move this to the European side where you can get more help.

[dana_w]

Originally Posted by Battara

Nice complete piece. I especially love the gold work on the barrel.

Since this is European, I will move this to the European side where you can get more help.

Thanks Battara. I'll try to post in the right forum in the future.

[fernando]

You may chose between magnificent and superb, Dana !
I wouldn't mind having one of these instead of a handful of my blunderbusses.
Can you show us a close up of the frizzen face ... must be something amazing.
I wouldn't know if Jean-Louis was 'only' famous for his hunting weapons but, as publicized in the label you posted, Louis was able to "produce and sell a wide variety of weapons, from edged to firearms, including tromblons (blunderbusses); gold and silver mounted, as also in polished steel, as per English taste".
You know that these top luxury weapons didn't have to see field use, as they were mainly made to embellish the houses of rich customers. In a period when 'signs of wealth' were shown by having several (oil) paintings hanging in walls, these high end guns served the same purpose. Still today the term we use for closet, 'armoire' in French and 'armario' in Portuguese, derives from the term 'arms', which originally was where arms were hanging, those luxurious ones being well at sight, right as you entered wealthy residences. As said, not necessarily for use but, for exhibition.
Also to note some confusion out there with Louis having lived between 1747-1791, whereas that was the living dates of Jean-Louis.
https://gw.geneanet.org/pierfit?lang...eorges&pz=jean.

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[dana_w]

Originally Posted by fernando

You may chose between magnificent and superb, Dana !
I wouldn't mind having one of these instead of a handful of my blunderbusses. Can you show us a close up of the frizzen face ... must be something amazing.

I took a shot of that yesterday and will post it soon.

Originally Posted by fernando

I wouldn't know if Jean-Louis was 'only' famous for his hunting weapons but, as publicized in the label you posted, Louis was able to "produce and sell a wide variety of weapons, from edged to firearms, including tromblons (blunderbusses); gold and silver mounted, as also in polished steel, as per English taste".
You know that these top luxury weapons didn't have to see field use, as they were mainly made to embellish the houses of rich customers. In a period when 'signs of wealth' were shown by having several (oil) paintings hanging in walls, these high end guns served the same purpose. Still today the term we use for closet, 'armoire' in French and 'armario' in Portuguese, derives from the term 'arms', which originally was where arms were hanging, those luxurious ones being well at sight, right as you entered wealthy residences. As said, not necessarily for use but, for exhibition..

Unlike many fancy weapons that I've handled this one shows some signs it was carried and used.

Originally Posted by fernando

Also to note some confusion out there with Louis having lived between 1747-1791, whereas that was the living dates of Jean-Louis..

Thanks for the info.

[dana_w]

Here you go Fernando, a magnificent & superb frizzen.