This incredibly deluxe sporting gun was crafted by French gunmaker Bertrand Piraube who is noted as "the leading gunmaker in France during the reign of Louis XIV (1643–1715)" by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Piraube was granted lodgings in the Louvre as noted in the markings on the gun and made guns for the French court as well as the nobility across Europe. The long smoothbore barrel has a blade front sight accented by fine engraving, a long sighting flat signed "PIRAVBE AVX GALLERIES A PARIS 1689", scrollwork, masks and martial trophies on the breech; and martial trophies and a beaded border on the tang. The rounded lock is signed "PIRAVBE AVX GALLERIES" near the edge under the frizzen spring and features chiseled and engraved scrollwork, martial trophies, and a portrait. The lock and steel mounts display the clear influence of the patterns of Claude Simonin in their decoration which includes chiseling, piercing, and engraving in a variety of patterns, including trefoil finials, an elaborate foliate scrolling design sideplate, serpent heel extension, masks, and scrollwork. The stock features fine molding and scroll carving. Lot 1535 in the "Mobilier der Mme Charles Rubner, Paris, 1938" sale by Galerie Fischer matches this gun, and notes indicate the gun was purchased by Norman R. Blank from W. Keith Neal in 1963. Provenance: The Charles Rubner Collection; The W. Keith Neal Collection; The Norman R. Blank Collection

Very good with the metal cleaned to a smooth silver-gray patina, rubbed designs on the breech section but crisp engraving and chiseling elsewhere, hole in both the trigger guard bow and tang, and mild wear. The refinished stock is also very good with crisp carving on the right, worn carving on the left, chips at the nose of the lock, and mild scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.