Bio

Raised in Lisieux in the province of Normandy, Marin le Bourgeoys (b. 1550) comes from a famous family of artisans. Originally trained as a painter, he became a skilled mechanic and inventor. In 1608, King Henri IV brought le Bourgeoys to Paris as his personal gunsmith, a position le Bourgeoys would continue to hold under Henri’s son, Louis XIII.

In 1610, le Bourgeoys produced a new type of gunlock, based on the earlier snaphaunce and Spanish lock or English dog lock, called the flintlock. Simpler to make and use than the effective but expensive wheellock and safer and more reliable than the venerable matchlock, the new gunlock quickly spread across France and then Europe. Le Bourgeoys produces numerous examples of this new sytle of weapon, with which Louis proudly honors his courtiers and important visitors of state.