Wheel harquebus
Generally speaking, harquebusiers were more concerned with the quality of the mechanisms than with the finesse of the decorations. The refinement and precision achieved by the chasing technique at the beginning of the 19th century went beyond the strict domain of decorative arts. Thus, Nicolas-Noël Boutet, director of the Manufacture nationale de Versailles, produced ceremonial arms richly decorated with gold, silver and vermeil inlays.
This pommel rifle is probably one of the most valuable weapons ever made. On the lock stands out a finely engraved inscription, "Given by H.M. the Emperor and King to Major General and Count Rapp". It testifies to the political character of the arms: it was then customary to offer them as a reward to deserving officers or as a diplomatic gift.
