Flintlock Pistol By Armand Bongarde & Giles Massin

Herman Bongarde (known as Armand Bongarde in French sources) was one of the most important gunsmiths of his time. Active from 1678 to 1727, he produced high-quality cannons and locks in both the Spanish and French styles. Many of his pieces were assembled abroad, particularly in France, demonstrating the international reach of his work. Upon his death in 1727, his son, Johan Wilhelm Bongarde, succeeded him and was subsequently appointed gunsmith to the Elector.

Another renowned gunsmith of this period was Gilles Massin, based in Liège. Massin is famous for his richly decorated firearms, characterized by gold inlays, fine chasing, and carved ornamentation. The example presented here has a flintlock mechanism signed with his name, consistent with his known work.

This example: A highly elegant flintlock pistol, executed in a richly ornamented French style. The smoothbore barrel is sumptuously chased with rocaille motifs, featuring a portrait of a man at its center. The inlaid inscription "Bongarde a Dusseldorp" is located in the middle of the barrel. The brass front sight is set into the muzzle. The furniture is original gilt brass, finely decorated with masks, portrait medallions, and vegetal motifs. The buttplate is adorned with a grotesque mask. The walnut stock is also decorated with rocaille motifs. At the rear, the pistol retains an openwork gilt copper buttplate, decorated with mythological figures, military trophies, and intertwined vines. The ramrod is a later replacement, fitted with an ebony tip.

This pistol dates from the end of the Bongarde period and was most likely assembled by Gilles Massin between approximately 1720 and 1730, combining the Bongarde barrel with Massin's characteristic decorative and finishing work.