Fancy French Blunderbuss, c1750

dana_w · 7th May 2019, 10:11 PM

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
111-0061

7th May 2019, 10:11 PM	#1
dana_w Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Southeast Florida, USA Posts: 429	Fancy French Blunderbuss, c1750 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 111-0061 Attached Images