October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
One of the finest mid-19th century high art double-barreled shotguns ever offered for sale. This splendid firearm has superb Damascus barrel by Albert Bernard, the master barrel maker of the period. The breeches are encrusted with raised relief hammered gold inlay of leaves and vines extending 4-1/2" from breech end on each barrel. Top rib with raised relief engraved gold extending 8" from breech end, and elaborate barrel address in gold "Thomas A Paris". Muzzle with gold encrustation en suite extending 1-1/4" from muzzle. Ramrod pipes inlaid with relief gold. Barrel serial number 7827, dated 1854. Action of gun almost entirely encrusted with raised relief gold inlay with vines and leaves inhabited by birds (snipe, pheasant). The opening lever entirely encrusted with gold leaves and vines inhabited by two partridges. The opening lever formed as a serpent is also inlaid with golden eyes. The locks entirely encrusted in raised relief gold with a spaniel chasing two pheasants while one flies above them on the left lock, and a pointer and two flying pheasant on the right lock. The hammers are entirely encrusted in gold with leaves and vines. The breech itself has an inlaid engraved gold dog's head and leaves. All screws are with inlaid gold. The elaborate trigger guard is entirely encrusted with gold leaves, vines, and birds, and the bow of the trigger guard itself features a prancing stag. A blued buttplate is encrusted with gold. Butt trap contains two original percussion inserts, each of which retains much original nitre bluing. The figured walnut buttstock is inlaid throughout its length with gold wire and large engraved gold leaves. Gun is cased in its original highly figured Circassian walnut case lined in green velvet with gilt and tooled maker's label Thomas Brevete D'Arquebusier Sm Le Roi Du Suede et Du Norway Passage DeLorme a Paris. Accessories include magnificent shop flask by Boche a Paris, pewter nozzle with bright blued spring, turn screw of ebony, ebony loading tool, and various other accessories, including leather shop flask, powder measure. CONDITION: Barrels retain considerable Damascus finish and have not been refinished. Action and locks with some original darkened French gray finish mixing with original bluing. Soft gold with light wear. Buttplate with considerable original bluing. Stock with all of its gold wire intact, light wear. Case itself is in excellent condition. Missing bullet mold. Thomas always signed "Gunmaker to the King of Sweden and Norway". Working dates 1855-1867, this being one of his earliest works. All guns by Thomas are of superb quality. A pair of pistols by Thomas sold at Greg Martin Auctions for $75,000, now in collection of Ann Lee. Another pair by Thomas sold for $150,000. He is known to have made splendid pairs of exhibition pistols. Doubtless this work of art in gold and steel was made for either royalty or one of the great 19th century exhibitions. MZ
Accessories
Case with accessories
Barrel Wall Thickness
(L) .032 (R) .029
Internal Bore Diameter
(L) .700 (R) .700