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French artist and inventor, known for inventing the flintlock mechanism that was used on weapons for over two centuries.
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 works of art, and Louis XIII kept many of them in a private collection. The King also gave them to favored courtiers and highly esteemed visitors.One feature of Marin le Bourgeoys' lock system 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. Marin le Bourgeoys' design was standard in firearm use until the 1840s, when it was finally replaced by percussion lock systems.
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variant spelling:
LE BOURGEOYS, Marin
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Curriculum vitae
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* 1550
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Lisieux, Normandie
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born
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1605
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Paris
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Réalisation pour Louis XIII d’arquebuses et de fusils décrits dans les inventaires du mobilier de la couronne.
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1605
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Paris
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Réalisation pour Henri IV d’une arquebuse, d’un cornet de chasse et d’une arbalète.
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1608
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Paris
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Inventeur du fusil à vent.
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1609
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Paris
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Invention : Créateur de globes mouvants, et avait réalisé un globe pour Henri IV où étaient « reportés les mouvements du soleil, de la lune, et des étoiles fixes à la grande galerie du Louvre.
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1610 - 1615
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Paris
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Invention : Créateur du véritable silex d’arme.
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† 1634
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Paris
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died
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