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

Very fine overall, retaining nearly all of the original brown finish on the barrels with some thinning and strong Damascus patterns, strong traces of the original case colors on the action with the balance a handsome grey patina, and 90% or the original blue finish on the buttplate and triggerguard, which has 99% of the gold inlay. The gun shows some light handling evidence. The freshened wood shows some scratches and sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case and tools are all very good/very fine.