About this site

This site is being developed gradually as a place where I can document my interest in antique arms, gunsmiths, gunsmithing, fortifications and where to see and learn about this field of fine mechanic design and artistry.

My main interest is french arms from the period ca. 1600 to ca. 1850 when french gunsmiths influenced the design and construction of pistols and guns, and was considered to be at their apogée. Later when industrialized mass production of handweapons took over, manufacturers in other countries was more successful in combining salesmanship with the potential of lower cost production methods.