Napoleon preferred Lepage's firearms
It is known that Le Page used to produce all guns for Napoleon's personal use, as being preferred by him to those of Boutet, due to a flaw in their nechanism.
Interesting comment Fernando. Why would Napoleon grant Boutet an 18 year concession as Director Artiste of the Versailles Manufactory to manufacture Armes Deluxe and military arms if Boutet's firearms were flawed?
Between 1800-1813 the Versailles Manufactory delivered 10,000 muskets and musketons to the grenadiers and chasseurs of Imperial Guard. (Dean Taylor Arms Collecting Vol.20 No.4 1982).
Napoleon also commissioned Boutet to produce arms for his family, Marshals of the Empire and other people important to him.
Jean LePage produced superb and beautiful firearms but, other than your comment, I have not found any evidence to suggest that his firearms were technically superior to those of Boutet. Can this statement be supported with evidence?
Respectfully
Mike Barnett
Perth
Western Australia
|