Parisian Sportsmen: Early Lefaucheux Pinfire Shotguns in Studio Display

Description

This carefully arranged studio portrait from L. Mulot of Paris presents two well-dressed hunters showcasing early model Lefaucheux pinfire shotguns. Their attire reflects the refined sporting fashion of the late 19th century, with matching velvet jackets trimmed in contrasting piping, high collars, and fitted breeches worn with tall leather boots suited for field use. Both men wear bowler hats that add a formal tone to the composition, a common choice for urban studio portraits of sportsmen during this period.
Each hunter rests his early Lefaucheux pinfire shotgun confidently at his side, the firearms positioned to communicate both pride of ownership and ease of handling. The painted backdrop, depicting trees and soft landscape forms, evokes an outdoor setting within the confines of the studio, a typical approach in continental portrait photography of the era. The overall presentation conveys a blend of urban sophistication and rural leisure, capturing the moment when pinfire arms served not only as tools for the field but also as markers of identity within European sporting culture.