Bearing the stamp of a rooster inside a heart on the lockplate, and "W A/15 90" on a pair of panels flanking the upper tang, the producer of this arm has not yet been identified. Unmarked barrel, with a swamped and crowned muzzle and an octagonal breech section, with a pair of brass hinges on the left side and a head-shaped brass ornament where the breech joins the tang. The head is the release catch for a spring loaded breech cover, which flips up on the brass hinges to reveal a removable chamber with integral flash pan. Viewed as a whole, the system is reminiscent of both the Snider-type breechloading conversion, and the independent percussion chambers employed by Williamson Patent pistols or the early designs of Gatling. The lock is equipped with a safety hook and a brass wheel retainer cut in the form of a dragon, with a beast head engraved on the jaws of the dog and light carving on the safety cover and dog spring. Smooth hardwood stock, with extensive ivory disc inlays with floral and burst decoration, in addition to a number of other panels. The left side of the forearm shows a serpent devouring a fish, with a scale-pattern panel covering the wrist. On the left, the devouring serpent is repeated on the forearm, while a cockatrice flanked by a pair of smaller beasts is inlaid opposite the lock. Another pair of serpents are present on top of the wrist, while the underside ahead of the triggerguard shows a grotesque face, a soldier carrying a pollaxe, a peasant with a forked stick, and a partially nude maiden. The pommel is a ball, nearly 3 inches across, divided into 5 panels around the circumference with ivory borders at top and bottom, and raised floral brass strips between them. Each panel features a raised brass cherubic head, set on an ivory disc and surrounded by smaller, floral decorated ivory discs. On the base of the pommel is a raised brass lion head, surrounded by an ivory panel bearing the 12 signs of the Western zodiac. A unique conversation piece! Provenance: The William Ashby Collection

Good, with a mixed, artificial gray patina overall on the steel, showing a few areas of brown color and a small amount of pitting. An aged patina has formed on the brass, with light rubbing on the higher points. The stock is good, with a few small areas of filler around a couple of the inlaid panels, and mild handling marks overall. Not mechanically tested. A very interesting firearm, with a combination of physical beauty and mechanical ingenuity rarely seen together.