Durs Egg (1748-1831) was one of the finest gunmakers in London in the late 1700s and early 1800s. This c. 1800 double barrel smoothbore sporting gun is signed "D. EGG, LONDON," on the concave rib in gold and also "D. Egg" on each lock plate. The breech end of the barrels also feature dual gold bands and gold vent liners, and the priming pans are gold lined. The gun has a silver blade front sight and silver escutcheons, including an "M" inscribed wrist escutcheon. The engraving includes foliate, scroll, and martial trophy patterns along with game scenes on the stepped tails of the lock plates, the trigger guard bow, and the heel tang. The walnut half-stock has checkering on the forend and wrist and a rounded cheekpiece. Provenance: The Dr. Howard Andrews Collection; The Wilbur Henry Hoffeld Collection; The Norman R. Blank Collection

Very good with 75% of the old refurbished brown finish and faint Damascus patterns on the barrels, bright gold inlays, some old reblued finish on the trigger guard bow, gray and brown patina on the balance, minor oxidation/pitting, absent ramrod tip, and mild wear. The stock is fair and has distinct checkering, some small flakes at the edges, dent near the toe on the right, hairline crack in the forend, moderate wear, and general dings and scratches. The left trigger and lock could use some adjustments, but the right lock and trigger are excellent. Overall, an attractive early 19th century English flintlock double barrel shotgun by one of the late flintlock era's great gunmakers.