This fine Parisian turnover sporting gun was made circa 1685 and restocked and partially remounted during the 18th century. It features two-stage octagonal to round smoothbore barrels each with brass blade front sight, elaborate engraving and chisel work with floral scroll patterns inhabited by a mask and a figure, "THURAINE A PARIS" signed on the sighting flat, and blued finish. Rounded back-action lock engraved and chiseled in low relief with scrollwork and a figure holding a ribbon signed "THURAINE A PARIS", with scroll engraved individual priming-pan and frizzen assemblies for each barrel. Barrel release catch chiseled in the round with a bestial head. Later engraved trigger-guard and heel-plate, the latter with the serpent finial reminiscent of Claude Simonin (see Stephen V. Granscay, "Master French Gunsmiths' Designs", p. 76) and later figured walnut stock. The wrist escutcheon is silver with a coronet and masks. With a wooden ramrod with bone tip. This gun was purchased from W. Keith Neal in February 1962 by Norman R. Blank. Provenance: J.F. Hayward; The Norman R. Blank Collection

Fine with mostly gray patina on the barrels, bright lock and mounts, wear to high points of chiseled decoration, and rubbed engraved decoration on heel-plate. The refinished wood is very good and has attractive figure, carved ornamentation worn, scattered handling marks overall, some losses around the mounts and mechanism inletting, and a hole by the trigger-guard finial. Mechanically fine. A rare opportunity to get your hands on a very attractive French flintlock swivel breech sporting gun.