Fauré Le Page
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Firearms, fashion accessories |
| Founded | 1716 in Paris, France |
| Founder | Louis Pigny |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Firearms, holsters, gun bags, organizers, handbags |
Fauré Le Page () is a distinguished French manufacturer of firearms that was founded in Paris in 1716 by Louis Pigny. The enterprise stayed under the Pigny family’s ownership until 1913. Historically, the company has been known as Pigny, Le Page, and Le Page Moutier, before adopting the name Fauré Le Page in 1865. In addition to producing holsters and gun bags, the brand has diversified its product range to include organizers and handbags.
Louis Pigny
The company was established in 1717 by Louis Pigny at Rue Baillif (present-day Rue des Bons-Enfants) in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. He obtained royal warrants from King Louis XV in both 1735 and 1756. Upon his passing, the business was transferred to Pierre Le Page, who was married to Pigny’s niece.
Pierre Le Page (1709–83)
Following Pigny’s death in 1743, Pierre Le Page assumed control, changing the firm’s name from Pigny to Le Page and relocating to 13, Rue de Richelieu in 1759. His clientele included notable figures such as the House of Orléans and Maréchal Maurice de Saxe. Originating from Normandy, Pierre trained under master gunsmith Mazillier before joining Pigny’s workshop.
Jean Le Page (1746–1834)
Between 1779 and 1822, Jean Le Page expanded the company’s operations, catering to prestigious patrons including King Louis XVI, Napoleon Bonaparte, and King Louis XVIII. Initially intending to pursue chemistry, he apprenticed with Pierre Le Page starting in 1764 and attained master gunsmith status by 1780.
Under Jean’s direction, the firm earned acclaim for its pistols, exquisite melee weapons, and the renowned Le Page swords, competing with Versailles’ Nicolas-Noël Boutet. Notable innovations comprised patents for "mise à feu platinum" ignition mechanisms (1810), water-resistant firearms (1817), and silex platinum firing systems (1821). In 1809, Le Page introduced a percussion lock celebrated for its exceptional dependability.
The brand’s clientele broadened to include eminent military leaders such as Duke of Vincence Armand de Caulaincourt, Baron Gaspard Gourgaud, Marshal Emmanuel de Grouchy, General Charles de Flahaut, among others. Significant pieces include firearms crafted for Louis Philippe II and Napoleon’s sword displayed at Château de Malmaison.
Le Page’s main boutique at 13 Rue de Richelieu was advantageously situated near Palais Royal during pivotal events like the Revolution of 1789 and the July Revolution of 1830. The family is said to have supported revolutionary causes by distributing weapons.
Of Jean’s six children, four entered the arms industry. His eldest daughter Justine married arquebusier Louis Perrin of Poitiers, who gained recognition at industrial exhibitions between 1834 and 1844. His son André Jean Thomas worked as an arquebusier under "Le Page Fils." Another son, Jean André Prosper Henri Le Page, took over leadership in 1822. Daughter Eléonore Méliade wed officer Louis Didier Fauré.
Jean André Prosper Henri Le Page (1792 – Vichy 1854)
Serving as an arquebusier and fourbisseur in Paris from 1822 to 1842, Jean André Prosper Henri Le Page catered to King Louis XVIII, King Charles X, King Louis Philippe, and the House of Orleans.
He took over the family business in 1822 and was appointed Arquebusier Ordinaire in 1835 to the King, the Duke of Orleans, and the Duke of Nemours. His workshop was situated on the Champs-Élysées, specifically on Rue des Gourdes (which was later renamed Rue Marbeuf).
Under his direction, Le Page’s renown expanded internationally. He showcased his work at various Paris Exhibitions (1823, 1827, 1834) and secured a Silver Medal during the 1839 Exhibition. His establishment was located at 13 rue de Richelieu.
The firm specialized in firearms and revolvers, with a notable innovation being a percussion gun featuring a rotating barrel introduced in 1838. The French government commissioned 600 of these pieces for the Lancers Regiment, produced at the royal factory in Saint-Étienne.
Le Page also acted as an official expert witness in significant legal cases, including those involving Giuseppe Fieschi and Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte’s Boulogne landing attempt.
In 1842, he transferred control of the company to his son-in-law.
Additionally, he compiled a genealogy of the Le Page family, which is preserved within the French National Archives.
Gilles Michel Louis Moutier-Le Page (Bayeux 1810 – Montfermeil 1887)
Gilles Michel Louis Moutier served as an arquebusier and fourbisseur in Paris between 1842 and 1865. Through marriage into the Fauré family, he succeeded Henri Le Page in 1842 and signed his work as Le Page-Moutier.
He was awarded Silver medals at the Paris Expositions of 1844 and 1849 and achieved a First Class medal in 1855. His participation extended to London Expositions in both 1851 and 1862, where he gained further accolades. In 1865, Emile Henry Fauré, Henri Le Page’s nephew, joined the enterprise.
Emile Henry Fauré Le Page (Paris 1840 – Paris 1929)
Emile Henry Fauré Le Page operated as an arquebusier and fourbisseur in Paris from 1865 until 1913 and held a warrant as supplier to the Russian Imperial Court.
A nephew of Henri Le Page and son to Louis Didier Fauré and d'Eléonore Méliade, he entered partnership with Gilles Moutier in 1865 before becoming sole proprietor by 1868.
He broadened the firm's international reach and secured its position as an official supplier to the Russian Imperial Court. Emile garnered numerous distinctions at Universal Expositions: First Class Medal (1865), Silver Medal (1867), Gold Medal (1878), Grand Prix (1889), along with Vienna’s Medal of Progress (1873).
His honors included being named Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur in 1878 and later elevated to Officer of the Légion d'Honneur in 1894.
The main boutique was established at number 8 rue de Richelieu, close to the Royal Palace Hotel which opened in 1909.
In 1913, armourer Dumond acquired Fauré Le Page but preserved its brand identity, officially forming a company in 1925.
Emile Henry Fauré Le Page passed away in 1929 and was interred at Père Lachaise Cemetery.
Revolutionary commitments
Throughout various regimes, the Le Page family maintained their status as official suppliers. Their shop’s proximity to the Palais-Royal placed them at the heart of political upheavals during the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, making their inventory a focal point during revolts. Nevertheless, the family aligned themselves with revolutionary causes, supporting demonstrators during both the 1789 and 1830 uprisings.
Historical records emphasize their patriotic contributions:
"-M. Lepage, arquebusier, on July 27th resisted attempts to plunder valuable firearms from his premises and personally distributed arms and ammunition for citizen defense. Over three consecutive days he continuously supplied weapons; his eighty-five-year-old father assisted him. Patriotism is deeply rooted in the Le Page lineage; during the initial revolution they surrendered their shops to freedom fighters; today Mr. Le Page alongside fellow citizens stands armed within their community."
"During an attack by the Swiss Guard on rue Saint-Honoré, women associated with Lepage handed out lead and metals to citizens engaged under gunfire."
Remarkably, on July 27th and 28th most arms dealers’ signage was defaced except for that of Le Page: The phrase "Arquebusier of His Royal Highness Monseigneur the Duke of Orleans" had "His Royal Highness" obscured while leaving "Duke of Orleans" visible—reflecting prevailing public sentiment.
Bibliography
- Le "Qui est qui" de l'arme en France de 1350 à 1970 tome 1 par Jean-Jacques Buigné - Éditions du Portail. 2001.
- Grands noms de l'armurerie écrit par Yves Louis Cadiou - Éditions du Portail - Le Hussard. 1999.
- L'arme de chasse de Olivier Achard et Christian Tavard - Editions Proxima. 2000.
- Histoire des Armes à feu du XV au XX siècle par Merrill Lyndsay - Walker & Co. NY. 1972.
- Le Cabinet de Diane au Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature rédigé par Claude d'Anthenaise - Citadelles & Mazenod. 2007.
- Evénemens de Paris des 26,27,28 et 29 juillet 1830 et jours suivans par plusieurs témoins occulaires Casimir Delavigne - J.P. Voglet Imprimeur-Libraire à Bruxelles. 1830.
- Relation historique des journées mémorables des 27,28,29 juillet 1830 en l'honneur des Parisiens - H. Langlois Fils Éditeur- Paris. 1830.
- Histoire du règne de Louis-Philippe Ier. Tome 1 par Victor de Nouvion - Didier & Cie-Libraires Éditeurs à Paris. 1858.