Flintlock pistol by Billouteau of Ste. Foy

historian.1

June 25, 2002 06:29

I have a double-barreled, silver-mounted flintlock pistol of the mid-eighteenth century. The rib between the barrels is marked "BILLOUTAU.A.Ste.FOY.C.TORDU" while the right lock is marked "Billouteau" and the left "a Ste Foy" in script. A reference book, Le "Qui est Qui" de L'arme en France de 1350 a 1970, lists Billouteau [Billauteau] as a gunmaker in Ste. Foy, Canada, around 1770. I have contacted the curator of arms at the Canadian War Museum, and he and other experts think that the pistol must be from France, not Canada, because it is of a much higher quality than are the few other known Canadian guns from this period. I have been unable to learn why the authors of the reference book think that Billouteau worked in Ste. Foy, Canada, rather than in one of the towns by that name in France. If anyone who is familiar with French or Canadian guns could provide any additional information about this puzzle or refer me to others who might be able to help, I would be most appreciative.

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  andersk

  June 25, 2002 11:16

  I used to live in Ste-Foy, Qu?bec. So there is such a place in Canada!
  
  Ken

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