N. Guyot | Dogs and Doubles

Auction alert: 12g N. Guyot, Paris, boxlock SxS…

November 13, 2015 by Gregg

As I’ve written before, N. Guyot is one of the mysteries of the European gun trade. In the early to mid 1800s and into the 20th century, someone — or perhaps a family — “made” all sorts of firearms under this name: From target pistols and fancy hammerguns to high-quality sidelocks and plainer boxlocks. It appears that they had a shop in Paris for many, many decades, and for a time, an office in London.

There was also a N. Guyot who an inventor with several patents to his name and a world-class pigeon shooter who won the Monaco Grand Prix du Casino in 1901. Perhaps this was the founder of the firm, or a son who carried on the name?

N. Guyot, Paris, 12 gauge, double barrel, SxS, sideplated boxlock shotgun

As you can tell, I know very little about who N. Guyot was. But I do know that someone made some nice doubles with this name on them. Here’s one of their nicer side-by-side boxlocks. It’s coming up to auction today at Powell Auction & Realty LLC in Knoxville, TN.

From what I can see, this sideplated shotgun was made between 1887-1896. It carries a full-set of London proof marks from that period (for Black Powder, not Nitro), but no Belgian or French proof marks. This is one of the mysteries of Guyot: Why would a gunmaker with a retail shop in Paris have his a shotgun proofed in London — especially if it was made back home in France or next door in Belgium?

Condition wise, the color-case hardening on this gun looks pretty original. I’m not sure about bbl blueing and wood finish, though. Both look fresher to me, and the checkering has definitely been recut. Also, this gun has some funky looking ejectorwork on it which appears to be unique to Guyots. Wonder what it is?

Another great Guyot side-by-side shotgun….

December 26, 2012 by Gregg

12 gauge Guyot double barrel sidelock shotgun

I’m a big fan of Guyot shotguns, and I’ve written about these doubles here, here, and here. Just about every Guyot side-by-side that I’ve seen has been very well made, from the lower-end boxlocks to the top-of-line sidelocks.

The sidelock here is an another example of just how much skill went into Guyot’s best double barrel shotguns. It was auctioned off last year and went for a very fair at a great price. I wish I had been the person who got it. Here’s the auctioneer’s full listing on it:

46. Very fine French Sidelock Double Ejector Shotgun by Guyot of Paris

Serial #12451, 12 bore, 29 1/2″ barrels are choked improved cylinder and modified and show bright excellent bores. The shotgun features ejectors, cocking indicators, articulated front trigger, sideclips and non-automatic safety. The action and locks feature full coverage rose and scroll engraving with “N. GUYOT” on left lock and “A PARIS” on right lock. The barrel rib is engraved “Sir Joseph Whitworth’s Fluid Comressed Steel” and the barrels are marked “N. Guyot Arqr. Paris / 12 Rue de Ponthieu”.

The barrels retain 95% superb quality blued finish that appears original. The barrels feature their original French proofs and have been additionally proofed in England “12 ga / 70mm / 850 BAR”. The action and locks retain 80% original color case-hardened finish with most loss on belly where colors are blending with a pleasing smooth gray patina. The triggerguard retains about 60% thinning original blue finish. The checkered straight grip buttstock and splinter forend are of beautifully figured French walnut and rate excellent plus and may have been lightly cleaned with freshened checkering.

The shotgun locks up very tight and points beautifully with a 14 5/8″ pull over a later leather covered pad with drops of 1 1/2″ and 2 1/8″. A very fine, best quality Parisian double gun of superlative quality. (Estimate: $8000/12,000) SOLD FOR $9200.00.

12 gauge Guyot double barrel sidelock shotgun

Another good looking Guyot double barrel…

December 7, 2012December 7, 2012 by Gregg

12 gauge Guyot double barrel boxlock ejector

Guyot is mysterious gunmaker. Even though the company made beautiful sidelocks and boxlocks, there’s very little information out there about its history. I know because I’ve been researching Guyot for years and all I’ve discovered is in this piece I wrote a few years ago: “Who the heck was Guyot?”

But nice Guyot shotguns keep popping up on the market. This nearly-new 16g boxlock came on the market last January and this 12 gauge side-by-side showed up a couple days ago:

N. Guyot Boxlock Ejector, 12 bore, 2 1/2″ chambers, ejectors, 28 1/4″ barrels choked .000 Cyl. and .034 Full, 6 lbs. 12 oz., 15 1/2″ LOP, double triggers, straight grip, splinter forend, very fine English scroll engraving with rose bouquets, rib extension 3rd bite, sideclips, concave game rib engraved “N. GUYOT ARQ A PARIS”

Unfortunately, it’s already sold. Just check out the pics (courtesy M.W. Reynolds) to see why it went so quickly.