Marin le Bourgeoys

Marin le Bourgeoys
Portrait-Medal of Marin le Bourgeoys, 1633
Born	Marin le Bourgeoys 1550 Lisieux, France
Died	1634
Nationality	Normandy
Occupation	gunsmith
Known for	inventing the flintlock mechanism

Marin le Bourgeoys (c. 1550 – 1634) is most well known for inventing the flintlock mechanism that was used on weapons for over two hundred years.

Marin le Bourgeoys was born into a noted artisan family in Lisieux, in Normandy, France. He was probably initially trained as a painter. He later attained fame not only as an artist, but as a gunsmith, inventor, and luthier. In 1598, his talents attracted King Henry IV, and he was appointed Valet de Chambre in the Royal Court. In 1608, he was granted rooms in the Grand Gallery of the Louvre. He produced artwork, firearms, air guns, crossbows, and movable globes.

He continued in royal service under the reign of King Louis XIII. Sometime between 1610 and 1615 it is believed that he created the first true flintlock weapon. His basic design was copied and soon spread over all of Europe. His weapons were considered pieces of art, and Louis XIII kept many of them in a private collection. The King also gave them to favored courtiers and visitors that were held in high esteem.

One feature of Marin le Bourgeoys' lock was that it had a half cocked position, from which the weapon could be loaded but would not fire. This feature proved to be much safer than earlier designs, and was widely implemented as other gunsmiths copied the flintlock.

Marin le Bourgeoys' design was standard in firearm use until the 1840's, when it was finally replaced by percussion lock systems.

References

• "Pistols: An Illustrated History of Their Impact" By Jeff Kinard, Published by ABC-CLIO, 2004

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Name	Le Bourgeoys, Marin
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Date of death	1634
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