Jean-Baptiste la Roche was gunmaker to Louis XV and received lodgings in the Louvre in 1743 and was later joined by his son Jean who succeeded him in 1763. Together they signed their guns with the plural "Les La Roche." Several examples of their work can be found within major institutional collections in Europe. Dating to the mid-18th century, this fine example has a slender smoothbore barrel with blued finish, gold inlays and highlighted accents including a bursting grenade motif on top at the breech, gilded fluting, "LES LA ROCHE AUX GALLERIES A PARIS" signed in raised gilt letters, a rounded silver blade front sight, and a burnished steel tang with lined borders and foliate engraving. The rounded lock is signed "LES LA ROCHE A PARIS AUX GALLERIES DU LOUVRE" along the bottom edge and finely engraved with a sporting trophy on the tail. The silver mounts are cast and chased with rococo ornament and are struck with Parisian hallmarks. The well figured full stock has moldings and foliate scroll carving, a green leather comb-pad, and silver wire inlays framing the side-plate. The ramrod has a silver tip. It is accompanied by an undated certificate of authenticity from F. Theodore Dexter for Norman R. Blank. Norman R. Blank acquired this gun from W. Keith Neal in November 1959. Provenance: W. Keith Neal in November 1959; The Norman R. Blank Collection

Fine with much original gold-inlaid ornament remaining, aged patina to the silver mounts with some rubbing to high points, clear signatures and engraving, 40% of the original blue remaining on the barrel, pitting at the vent, silver-gray patina and some minor staining on the lock, and age related overall wear. The otherwise fine stock has repairs to the forearm, minor cracks and handling marks throughout, and mostly crisp relief carving. The cheek pad has minor age and storage related wear. Mechanically fine. This beautiful sporting gun from Jean-Baptiste and Jean le Roche perfectly exemplifies why they received patronage from King Louis XV.