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THE RISE AND FALL OF GASTINNE-RENETTE

This publication traces the Paris firm of armourers Gastinne-Renette from its formation in the early 1800’s until its closure at the end of the 20th century. Based on an original brochure published by the firm in the early 1990’s, this reproduction is presented as a spiral bound A4 document in both its original French with a parallel translation into English.  It contains some 26 of the original illustrations, mainly in colour.  In addition, a number of explanations and historical links have been added as footnotes.

 

The script gives a fascinating insight into the interrelationships between the company, its directors and Paris society, particularly with regard to the many duels that took place in and around Paris in the 1800’s.  Gastinne-Renette, in its final location at the top of the Champs-Elysées, was ‘the’ place to buy arms of all sorts throughout the period, whether it be a sporting rifle for big game, a pair of shotguns for the field, but most of all as a source of duelling pistols.  Certainly all the arms illustrated were of superb quality, and, as noted by Napoleon IIIrd, were as utilitarian as they were decorative.

 

The company and its family management remained unbroken from its formation until the late 1980’s.  It provided both arms and training opportunities for many of the duels which seemed to be an everyday occurrence in Paris well after all forms of duelling had been banned in England.  Read about the French rules for the pistol duel, with its three second limit from the word ‘fire’ dictated by a metronome. Catch a glimpse of Paris high society and their antics at the ‘bal Mabille’, and the post duel feasting at the Ledoyen restaurant, where Dumas sank some six bottles of bubbly after one of his duels. Trace the links between the company and the heads of France throughout the period, be they kings, emperors or presidents. Finally dream of owning some of the superb arms manufactured for the crown heads of Europe from those illustrated in the original brochure, many from the Paris Exhibition of 1858.  A fascinating glimpse of the role of this celebrated armourer throughout nearly two centuries, who finally closed at the beginning of the 21st century

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Copyright © 2003 Derek Fuller
Last modified: December 05, 2003