Product Details
** CLAUDE BOUCHET
A REMARKABLE PETIOT (MOF)-ENGRAVED .300 WEATHERBY SINGLE-TRIGGER HAND-DETACHABLE SIDELOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 2 90,
for 1990, 26 1/2in. single-billet Chrome-Molybdenum nitro barrels, chequered sight rib with blued banner engraved in script 'Claude Bouchet a Flamarens', telescopic sight mount base, open sights and block-mounted blade fore-sight, heavily bolstered action, manual safety, hand-detachable lockplates with partially gold-washed lockwork, gold-washed adjustable trigger, the action and furniture fully carved in high relief with fine scrolling acanthus and floral designs on a stippled background, the lockplates with finely engraved game scenes of stag and wild boar in wooded landscapes, the underside with the portrait of a lion in an elaborate cartouche, the standing breech signed 'Pierre Petiot - MOF', bright finish overall, 13 1/4in. well-figured roachbelly stock rebated at the head and with internal stock bolt, carved with panels of ornate oak leaf bordered fish-scale chequering at the hand and with oak leaf designs to the butt, the fore-end decorated en suite and with gold-washed push button release, weight 12lb. 15oz., in its fitted oak and velveteen-lined brass-cornered leather case
Provenance: Claude Bouchet is unique in both his approach and design of best double rifles. Of the seven he has so far produced, no two are identical. Of impressive proportions, each of his rifles demonstrate a number of innovations and design features to maximise efficiency and safety. Taking an average of a three years to produce each example, his philosophy is focused on advancing the 'State of the Art', aiming to produce the strongest and most powerful guns in existence to the very highest standard. The only part of the rifles he does not make exclusively by hand, in house, are the barrels - milled and deep hole drilled from a single billet of Chrome-Molybdenum steel at a nearby Aerospace machine shop before being hand polished and rifled by him in the workshop.
Other Notes: The MOF (Meilleur Ouvrier de France) qualification represents the very highest standard of craftsmanship in a given field, and grants the status of 'Best Craftsman of France'. Created in 1924 the accolade is very hard to achieve, and to date less than 10,000 people have won the right to call themselves one of the Best Craftsman of France - across range of over two hundred professions and sixteen industries. A knowledge of modern and traditional techniques, dexterity and creativity all play a part in achieving the qualification. Together with the title (which is for life) a medal and a state diploma are also awarded, with the prerogative to join the National Society of Meilleur Ouvrier de France. The qualification is held in such high esteem that to fraudulently claim it is a crime punishable by prison time
** Please note this item is subject to 20% VAT on the hammer price (UK Buyers only). Imported from France, EU RGR Eligible
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Estimate £8,000-12,000
S1 - Sold as a Section 1 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act