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That is spectacular. Drool! Now I want a pinfire!

I spent some time looking at French sites for info on Massardier. I can't find much without going into French genealogy sites and paying out some francs (Euros). The only reference which may be of relevance is the 24 Sep 1885 death notice of Marie Poulat, 48 years old, wife of Jean-Baptiste Massardier, "Armurier", rue Villeboeuf, 48, Saint-Etienne.

Looking at Jean Baptiste Massardier, he apparently had children by two other women;
-- 1878 death notice of Marie-Louise, 8 months old, daughter of Jean-Baptiste Massardier, armurier, rue du Vernay, 6, and of Antoinette Vuldy.
-- 1884, Jean, two years old, son of Jean-Baptiste Massardier, armurier, and of Marie Laval, rue de la Barre, 5, Saint-Etienne

There's nothing much to report from the two addresses, rue de Vernay or, rue de la Barre.

Massardier is a fairly common Stephanois name. There looks to be at least two. Here is another:
-- Jean-Baptiste Massardier, born 21 Aug 1833, Saint-Etienne, Loire, Rhone-Alps, Valbenoite. 1860 married Louise Gouilloux; - four children.

Strange that there's nothing at all on Passionlachasse.fr. Perhaps he only made a few guns?

As for Coirier, there is a Claude Jean Baptiste Coirier, Arquabusier (gun maker) who took out a patent in 1865 - but this was done in the Department of the Seine, however - maybe that's where all patents were registered?

From the children and the two mothers, looks like he was a busy man--both in and out of the shop!

The story of Coirier � Clermont is a interweaved tale of partnerships and encounters that begins in 1848.

And with hours of research I think I have painted a little clearer picture in the following blog post:

https://freemycollection.com/?p=747&...rier-a-clermont

Aaron, I read your very well presented article but am not sure it's logical. Here are the points I think are important which should be the reference marks for further historical research:
1). The gun is Saint-Etienne made and proofed in the 1860'a. If it were made in Paris, it likely would have no Parisian proof marks. Saint-Etienne complained about this double standard for years.
2). Messardier is a Saint-Etienne barrel maker, and perhaps gun maker (arquabusier) of the 1860's.
3). Coirier is a armurier (gun dealer, repairer) in Clermont-Ferrand as of circa 1860's.

Thus, I don't think looking in Paris is the way to proceed. I would think that the best way to find more about Messardier would be to post a question on Passionlachasse.Fr. Since there are other Messardier gun (barrels?) out there the gun maker was known. French genealogy sites might help. I have a feeling that the firm didn't last that long maybe 20 years at most. I'll look a bit further as time permits.

Whatever, the gun is beautiful and worth enjoying.

There is an Armurier currently working in Les Landes named Jean Jacques Massardier. In the off-chance that he's a descendent, I'll send him an email.

40 - Landesup
JIGA DIFFUSION
Mr Jean Jacques MASSARDIER
414, rue de la gare
40140 MAGESCQ
Tel: 05 58 91 30 84
Fax: 05 58 91 31 97
Web: www.jiga-diffusion.com
Mail: contact@jiga-diffusion.com
Cotisation: 2017

I've forwarded the following note: If this doesn't work, I'm going to go ahead and bite the bullet and join Passionlachasse myself and let them laugh at my English-French translations:

M. Massardier, je suis American donc pardonnez mon Francais. Sur le site Doublegunshop.com, nous sommes en traine de parler de un 1867 fusil � broche fabrique (nous pensons) par un canonnier St�phanois M. Massarier pendant les annees 1860�s. Voila le site et les photos.

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=524443#Post524443

J�ai trouve quatre fusil fabrique par Massardier pendant les 1850�s-60�s mais nous je pouvons pas trouve plus de information sur le arquebusier. Par hazard, et vous un descendant de le Massardier de Saint-Etienne? Pouvez vous nous aidez avec un peu de information sur le compagnie? Merci infinitvement?

Gene Williams, McLean, Virginia, USA

I love these discussions when one, two, or more, actually impart research , good photos, and good questions. Congrat's to all above.

The connection is the two pistols I mentioned that are marked Coirier � Clermont on the gun, in cases that lists Corier's 4 Blvd Des Italiens, Paris address. That seems like WAY too big a coincidence to ignore?

Ex: https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/...32-details.aspx

edit: Also, I am not sure the proofs have anything to do with this. The gun was not made by Coirier. He was just the retailer I assume. Maybe he engraved it? Maybe assembled. But Massardier-Poulat made the parts that were proofed at least. And that was in Saint �tienne.