This elaborate French double barrel sporting gun comes from the workshop of Charles Simon of Paris, gunmaker to Louis XVI and the Comte d'Artois before the fall of the Ancien Regime during the French Revolution. The trigger guard and buttplate feature French hallmarks for Paris in 1798-1809. The smoothbore barrels feature ornate gold bands at the muzzle, gold cloud and ray patterns around the silver blade front sight, "SIMON A PARIS" signed in gold on top towards the breech, elaborate classical patterns in gold on the breech sections, sunken maker's marks on top of each barrel at the breech end, and gold lined vents. The bright standing breech has a dished rear sight engraved with a face in a rayed pattern along with floral patterns. The rounded locks are both signed "SIMON A PARIS" in fancy script and have gold lined priming pans and light floral engraving. The furniture is silver and includes bestial masks, floral patterns, a flaming urn trigger guard finial, and a scalloped buttplate. The half-length stock features extensive raised relief floral carving along with a ram mask by the upper tang and a very attractively shaped cheekpiece. Ramrod absent. Provenance: The John Rigby Collection; The Norman R. Blank Collection

Fine with 85% plus period rebrowned finish remaining on the barrel with some fading, exceptional period gilt, mottled gray and brown patina on the locks, attractive age darkened patina on the silver furniture, generally crisp markings and designs, and mild overall wear. The stock is also fine and has some slight rubbing of the carving and light scratches and dings. The butt has a period installed wooden extension at the buttplate. Mechanically fine. A scarce opportunity to acquire one of France's top gun makers sporting arm!