The French Model 1786 "Pierrier" is the first swivel gun standardized in French military service and was used by the French Navy until 1854. They would have been mounted on swivel yokes, and their comparatively light weight would have made them more maneuverable. They saw use during the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars, including in the Quasi-War with the United States. There is an example marked "Frerejean Freres Lyon, 1795" owned by the U.S. Navy marked as a prize that may have been captured during that conflict. Both of these examples measure approximately 40 inches from the muzzles to cascabels. The bores measure approximately 2 inches. They are fitted to wooden carriages. The first of the two is from the French Revolution and is marked "LIBERTE EGALITE" (French for "Liberty Equality") above script letters “AN” (Armee Nationale) on top of the tube with “ROUEN GalAN3” around the breech and “Jean freres” (Jean brothers) on the rear of the breech. Jean Freres is noted in "Gun Founding and Gunfounders" by Kennard as active in Rouen, a city in northern France. The French Republican date of "AN3" (year 3 or September 22, 1794, to September 22, 1795) dates the piece to the same period as well as multiple naval battles, including the French defeats at the Battle of Genoa and Battle of Groix. Other documents also mention "Frerejean Freres" or "Frere-Jean Freres" as founders. For example, a document from Noel Point, Representative of the Committee of Public Safety at Cruezot in 1795 stated, "I spent four days here to visit this foundry in all its details. It offers great resources, but the Frere-Jean brothers, who were the entrepreneurs, were hampered by great obstacles, which their zeal and intelligence could not overcome. I have taken the necessary measures to give this foundry the activity that suits it..." In 1806, Frerejean Freres are noted as operating a foundry in Vienna, and the modern French champagne making company of the same name notes they descended from cannon makers that armed Napoleon's armies. The second of the two appears to date to the latter period of this model's use and has partially visible markings “BOIGUES…IG…PA 5…N.I4” around the breech. Jean Louis Boigues operated a major French foundry in 1820-1838 with a large foundry in Fourchambault. After his death, Boigues et Fils merged with other firms and became Societe Boigues & Cie in 1839. Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection

1) Very good with mild wear and age darkening. 2) Good with mild wear and age darkening. The reproduction carriages are fine.