Manufactured c. 1730. This gun is very similar to the previous lot and an example from W. Keith Neal's collection. An April 1965 record included with the previous lot indicates Norman R. Blank bought "of Keith [Neal] 1 gun by Gio Botti" for $2,000" which may be this lot. The included collection record for this gun states: "The entire gun is in beautiful condition. It comes from the collection of the Dukes of Saxe-Weimar at Castle Ettersburg, Saxony. In the Catalogue of this sale; by T. H. Fischer, Lucerne and E. Kahlert & Son, Berlin, 2nd August 1927 this is item 37." The smoothbore barrel has a raised ring at the muzzle, a blade front sight, fluted octagonal breech section, a plain tang with a folding notch rear sight, "Gio. Botti" signed rounded lock with non-bridled priming pan and tumbler and a "crown/C-[F?]" maker's marks on the back side (also mentioned on the gun from Neal's collection), chiseled relief scroll and monster head designs in the classic Brescian fashion throughout, gilt-brass mounts including an interesting patchbox in the toe with a button on the right, original ramrod with a gilt-brass tip, and full-length walnut stock with fine molding and relief and incised carving, including scrollwork accenting the cheekpiece. "K.N. 1915 11/3" (Karl Necke, Keeper of the Castle) is signed in the barrel channel. Provenance: The Collection of the Dukes of Saxe-Weimar at Schloss Ettersburg; The Norman R. Blank Collection

Very fine as refinished with mostly bright lock and barrel with some very faint spots of pitting and minor wear, oxidation on the barrel under the forend, bright gilt finish on the mounts, and crisp designs and markings. The stock is also very fine and has crisp carving and molding, minor chips and cracks at the patchbox, and general scattered light marks and scratches. Mechanically fine. This is definitely a beautiful sporting gun and will pair excellently with the previous lot.