This stunning shotgun from legendary Parisian gunmaker Louis-Julien Gastinne-Renette (1812-1885) was completed in 1862. The gun features browned Damascus steel barrels with a single bead sight on the smooth concave solid rib which bears the Gastinne-Renette signature and address, along with a flourish of floral scroll at the base, proof marks on either side of the lugs, and "1862" indicating the year of completion. The barrels have 2 1/2 inch chambers with an extractor. The barrels are fitted to the exquisite underlever action which displays magnificent oak leaf engraving surrounding a "Gastinne/Renette" signature on the lockplates, along with a quartet of finely detailed game scenes. The game scenes consist of a running roe buck on the left of the action, a fox on the left lockplate, a roe deer doe on the right side of the action, and a fox caught in a trap on the right lockplate. The oak leaf engraving continues onto the underlever, both tangs, and the ornate blued triggerguard which displays a highly attractive gold inlaid oak tree over an intricate monogram. The gun features non-rebounding hammers as well as a pair of triggers. The gun is fitted with a well-figured multi-point checkered straight grip stock with an engraved blued steel buttplate. Includes a quarter-sawn oak takedown case with green baize lining, containing a variety of loading and maintenance tools, as well as a leather case cover. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both measured .688 inches; choke constriction .001/.002 inches; minimum wall thickness .032/.035 inches; 1 5/8 inch drop at comb; 2 3/16 inch drop at heel; 14 1/4 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs. 5 oz. The gun was purchased by Norman R. Blank from his friend W. Keith Neal on July 15, 1966. Provenance: W. Keith Neal; The Norman R. Blank Collection