Helped need identifying a gun-maker, possibly French

[dana_w]

Originally Posted by corrado26

A gunmaker "Goyet à Brest" is unknown in the "New Stoeckel" and in the "le Qui est Qui de l'Arme en France". So I think that the statement in the older Stoeckel might be wrong!

The pistol is certainly made in the years about 1740. A pistol of very similar style made by Jean Giraud of St.Etienne in my collection is made in these years.
corrado26

Thanks corrado26. That information is helpful. I don't know why, but I like to try and find information about a maker if I can.

Do you agree with Marcus den toom that the inscription should be read as "Goyel in Brest"?

[dana_w]

Here is a photo of the pair together.

This photo is copyright (c) 2014 by Dana K. Williams. All Rights Are Reserved

[Marcus den toom]

The shape of the lockplate of Dana's gun is still more curved in the traditional "banana" shape. This form was already obsolete in the 1730s. Also if i look closely at the name on the lockplate i would swear i see GoyeT with a t (or a l with a scratch trough it?)

This thread covers some of this as well.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=18292

[CSinTX]

Beautiful guns. Are 18th century flintlocks typically safe for firing? I wouldn't mind acquiring one to harvest a whitetail doe at close range. I would of course do extensive research on load data first.

[corrado26]

Originally Posted by dana_w

Do you agree with Marcus den toom that the inscription should be read as "Goyel in Brest"?

It is unimportant wether the name is "Goyet" or "Goyel", because none of these names is mentioned in the reference books. This will say but nothing, because lots of gunmakers whose names are to be found on guns or pistols are not documented in the "Neue Stöckel" or the "Le Qui est Qui".
corrado26

[rickystl]

Hi Dana. Can't help with the ID, but I'm confident they are French and pre-1750. Notice the lack of pan-to-frizzen arm. Beautiful pair of early French pistols. So is your's Corrado26! Thanks for posting. Rick.

[dana_w]

Originally Posted by corrado26

It is unimportant wether the name is "Goyet" or "Goyel", because none of these names is mentioned in the reference books. This will say but nothing, because lots of gunmakers whose names are to be found on guns or pistols are not documented in the "Neue Stöckel" or the "Le Qui est Qui".
corrado26

corrado26

Do you think their is any chance that the makers surname is Brest?

Originally Posted by Marcus den toom

The shape of the lockplate of Dana's gun is still more curved in the traditional "banana" shape. This form was already obsolete in the 1730s. Also if i look closely at the name on the lockplate i would swear i see GoyeT with a t (or a l with a scratch trough it?)

That could be Marcus den toom, but I don't think so. I'll post a closeup of the best lock plate in high contrast.

Originally Posted by rickystl

Hi Dana. Can't help with the ID, but I'm confident they are French and pre-1750. Notice the lack of pan-to-frizzen arm. Beautiful pair of early French pistols. So is your's Corrado26! Thanks for posting. Rick.

Thanks Rick!

[corrado26]

Originally Posted by dana_w

corrado26
Do you think their is any chance that the makers surname is Brest?

I've checked the books: No, there is no chance that the surname was "Brest". If "Brest" would be part of the surname than it should read "Goyet de Brest". Brest is definitely the French city where this gunmaker has been working.

corrado26

[dana_w]

Originally Posted by corrado26

If "Brest" would be part of the surname than it should read "Goyet de Brest". Brest is definitely the French city where this gunmaker has been working.

Thanks corrado26!

[dana_w]

A few more shots. I've almost given up finding the maker.

[dana_w]

Hugues Courant from the Municipal and Metropolitan Archives in Brest France recently responded to my request for information on the maker of these pistols. Although they have no specific information on a Goyel or Goyet arms manufacturer, they have 3 registers of congregations of inhabitants and craftsmen for the period. These registers have been scanned and are available on their website. Unfortunately, there is no alphabetical index, and I don't speak or read French.

https://archives.mairie-brest.fr/4DC...HH9/ILUMP10379

https://archives.mairie-brest.fr/4DC...H10/ILUMP10379

https://archives.mairie-brest.fr/4DC...H10/ILUMP10379

There is no entry for a Goyel or Goyet in Stockel or
Repertoire d arquebusiers et de fournisseurs français (The most complete existing reference of French armourers.)