(A) EXHIBITION QUALITY LEPAGE SIDE BY SIDE FLINTLOCK SHOTGUN

This is an absolutely outstanding, exhibition quality, flintlock shotgun made by Le Page, and rivals the guns that were being put out by the workshop at Versailles. Diminutive blade front sight surrounded by gold geometrics and florals, while the muzzles are decorated with rais de coeur in gold. Boldly signed in gold ahead of the chambers "Le Page a Paris / Arqueber du Roi", with a large 2 - 1/4" gold panel at the breech with florals and geometrics. Horn tipped ramrod is retained by two balustraded ferrules, the second mounted with an open eye for a sling, before feeding into a reinforced mouth that has been filed and beaded to resemble an urn, with extended iron engraved in the French taste with a gryphon and floral decoration. Tang with deeply scooped rear sight engraved en suite, with a well detailed diminutive pineapple, floral dressed screw, beaded sight edges, and relief egg-and-dart carving. Gently stepped flat locks with beveled edges and fit elaborate serpentine cocks engraved with flame-spewing dragons, ornately filed and engraved pan covers, bridled pans, and friction frizzens, with a deeply impressed poincon that reads "LePage" on the right and "A Paris" on the left, surmounting a laurel wreath. Rear of the locks with light engraving at the step and depictions of a rooster standing on what appears to be a bale of hay. Stock is fastened to barrel by a single key that feeds throughout an escutcheon and is checkered in a modified point pattern about the forearm and at the wrist, accented by fabulous relief carving throughout, including florals ahead of the trigger guard, a bold elk at the wrist that explodes out of the stock, flanked by oak leaves and acorns, and a laurel at the comb. Trigger guard is, as expected, also elaborate, with beaded and filed edges, engraved with a spear, a bow, and a quiver of arrows, with an overflowing vase filled with fruits and florals, with two faces carved into the body of the vase. Buttplate with engraving at the heel en suite, with florals and an urn. Sling bow on stud at toe line. CONDITION: Good. Barrels have been lacquered for preservation, and are essentially a smooth chocolate patina with flashes of dove grey, particularly at sides. Muzzles both somewhat damaged and with fine oxidation. Locks en suite, with clean engraving throughout, left cock with a break at the cock. Stock with expected handling marks and rubs throughout, with a heavier strike on the right toe, some chipping around hardware, and a pair of cracks at the wrist and one at the toe. Mechanics not tested to avoid aggravating cock damage. Bores with expected moderate oxidation. This is a fabulously attractive example that demonstrates why Le Page held royal warrants across multiple nations.

Name

Value

Barrel Length

32 - 1/8"

FFL Status

Antique

Gauge

(BOTH) .62 Smoothbore

Manufacturer

LePage

Model

SxS