This is a beautiful example of a needle fire shotgun made by Heinrich Barella of Magdenburg, Germany. Barella was born in Soest, Germany, in 1819 and at the approximate age of 24, attained the level of Master Gunsmith. In 1844, he founded his firm H. Barella Gewehrfabrik in Magdeburg, Germany. In the mid 1860s he was a gunmaker to the Prussian Royal Court and in 1871, he was the gunmaker to the Royal Court in Berlin. Barella was reported to have had clients such as the King of Italy and Romania as well as the Tsar of Russia. Barella died in 1893. This shotgun features Damascus barrels with a solid rib and single brass bead sight. The breech end of the rib is gold inlaid "H. BARELLA HONIGL: PREUSSISCHER & KAISERL: RUSSISCHER HOFBUCHSENM: BERLIN" flanked by relief oak leaf engraving. The breech end of the barrels are relief engraved with a broad scroll and oak leaf design. There are two gold wire inlaid bands on the muzzles and one on the breech end as well as a decorative design on each end. The bottom of each barrel under the forearm are marked with the serial number "1539", "17.0" on the right barrel and an unrecognizable proof on the left. There is a sling swivel mounted on the bottom of the barrels. The receiver and under break lever are relief engraved with a floral scroll design and the rear portion of the forearm, (which is metal), has a scene of a hunting dog flushing a game bird on the left side and two deer on the right side. There are wide gold inlaid bands on the front and rear of the receiver and on the rear of the forearm. Double triggers with the forward trigger being a set trigger and a decorative horn grip extension. The forward wood portion of the forearm is carved with a floral vine design, as are the sides of the stock wrist and right side of the stock. The bottom of the forearm has a round silver initial plate which is engraved with a crown and inscribed "AK". With the crown, one can only suspect this shotgun was made for someone of royalty. The left side of the stock features a cheekpiece and a beautifully carved wooden scene of two deer. The iron buttplate is engraved with a floral vine design, there is a compartment for two shells, and the door is engraved with a buck in a field scene. The barrels have 2 1/2 inch chambers, choke at a loose cylinder and there is an extractor. 2 ½ inch chambers, bore diameter: R- .676 L- .676, bore constriction: R- .006 L- .000, length of pull: 14 5/8 inches, drop at comb: 1 7/16 inches, drop at heel: 2 5/16 inches, cast-off: ¼ inches, weight: 7lbs 15oz.

Fine. The barrels retain 20% of the original brown finish with 50% of the Damascus pattern remaining. The remaining metal surfaces have a smooth gray patina. At some time a protective coating has been put on the metal surfaces and there is still some residue remaining in areas, mainly protected areas. The wood is very fine with a few small minor dents on the cheekpiece. The engraving and carving remain sharp. All of the gold inlay remains. Mechanically excellent.