This is an example of a high quality German double barrel, muzzle-loading, percussion shotgun that was made by Carl Stiegele of Munich in the 19th century. The shotgun has 16 gauge damascus barrels with sighting rib and a ramrod pipe. The rib is inlaid with the maker's name: "Carl Stiegele in Munchen.". The adjacent portions of the barrel and the top of the rib on either side of the gold inlay are decorated with silver scrollwork inlays. Six highly detailed game scenes feature gold-inlaid small game animals located on the barrel tang, sides of the lock plate, trigger guard finial and heel of the buttplate. The lock plates, sides of the hammers, breech, tang, trigger guard and heel of the buttplate are inlaid with silver scrollwork. The hammers are engraved with stylized sea serpent motifs. The wedge-fastened stock is European walnut and decorated with elaborate and highly detailed relief carving. The tip of the forearm is carved in the shape of a hound's head with detailed glass eyes. The horn trigger guard is decorated with inlaid silver scrollwork and has a carved and pierced scroll work grip. The left side of the stock has a shallow cheekpiece that extends from the wrist about half-way to the butt. Behind the cheekpiece is a highly detailed, relief-carved, scene that depicts four hunters and their dog examining game birds in a forest background. The stock has an iron buttplate with silver inlaid heel and silver-inlaid screw escutcheon. The edges of the stock bordering the butt are relief carved with open floral designs. The forearm and wrist have finely checkered panels bordered with relief-carved scrollwork. The lower ramrod pipe and stock are fitted with sling swivels. The shotgun has a wooden ramrod with flared brass tip. This is a very high quality German shotgun with elaborate silver and gold inlays and extensive relief carved decorations on the stock and forearm.