doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Info on Guyot guns

Drake and Safari Outfttters both have Guyot 12 bore guns for sale. They appear to be in good condition. Does anyone have any insight into these guns or know anything about the quality of these guns? Do they measure up in terms of quality to a good English gun? I know French guns were once the most sought after and of the highest quality, but that was several hundred years ago. I know nothing about modern French guns and there seems so little information available. Any info and insight would be appreciated.

Thanks.
Ken

I'm sorry for the usual answer, but Guyot made some very fine guns as well as a range of weapons which have survived less well. Take a look at the St. Etienne thread to get to the right people to ask. I have seen only a superb example that would be the equal of Purdey, et al.

I took a look via the web at the one on offer from Niles. For its age, the gun seems just a bit on the heavy side which could be a good thing. Some of the furnishings suggest a set up for stout loads. That gun is in remarkable shape.

Drake's gun is more typical to my mind with the shorter chambers, etc. Again, great features.

Amazing how low the prices can be on "unpopular" brands.

French guns in general simply don't have the "brand value" of British guns, with the possible exception of makers of "best guns" only--like Granger. Like Montana said, Guyot turned out some very nice guns. There's a 16ga on Cabela's website that I'd describe as pretty much a "boxlock best". But generally speaking, with French guns, the mantra of "buy the gun, not the name" is excellent advice--although Guyot is a good name, and it would certainly add value in comparison to a gun of equal quality and condition with either no name (not uncommon on French guns) or a name that no one recognizes.

The Guyot guns being offered by Safari Outfitters and Drake appear to be nice guns but I seriously doubt they are worthin anything closing to their asking prices. $8K seems like a more reasonable number.

I've done some research into this maker before, but I've come up pretty empty handed. This is the only thing I've ever found. It lists makers/retailers etc that went by the name Guyot:

http://www.hunt101.com/showphoto.php/photo/529396/size/big/cat/

OWD

At one time I owned a number of best French guns, amongst them was a,12 G,bar action hammer gun marked on the rib;"Gyot A Paris, 12 Rue De Ponthieu, and Gyot on the locks." The gun was serial #2903 [#1 OF PAIR].The gun was in the best London style, with straight stock and profuse engraving.The only proof marks were, "London Black powder,"Not for Ball"[1875-1887 time frame for manufacture].My research on the maker was not very fruitful! I did discover that Gyot was competitor at the Hurlingham, International [London], pigeon shooting copetition held in 1897 were in some categories his guns out performed those of Churchill, Purdey & Holland.
Many of the great French makers of this period ceased to operate, but their names are sometimes found on guns of Belgian origin.

I had a Guyot Slne 12b(or whatever the Frenchmen say?) it was a good gun, it also took me a good year to get rid of the thing.
Not many were interested in a trade - I'd stand clear of 'em!