This attractive double barrel shotgun is an attractive example of Old World craftsmanship that was updated from flintlock to percussion in period. This is demonstrated by the filled taps on the lock plates which would have held the original flintlock components. The piece was likely produced by Carl or Christian Freund of Furstenau, Prussia, circa 1790-1811 and may have been altered by the family's later gunsmiths in the 1820s-1830s after the percussion system became popular. The famous Freund & Brother gunsmiths of the mid-late nineteenth century American West were the descendants of these earlier Freunds and were trained in Europe. The octagonal sections the barrels are inlaid "C. Freund" (left) and "in . Furstenau" (right) accented by small floral flourishes at the ends. The locks are marked with the name on the right plate and the town on the left. The tail end of the locks have floral accents; the borders have light engraving. The trigger guard has a grip extension and is engraved with a floral motif and a reposed red deer stag. Other engraving accents are found on the various components including the ramrod entry pipe finial and even many of the screws. It is mounted on a European walnut half stock with attractive figure, checkering on the wrist and forend, a swivel on the bottom of the butt, a large cheek rest on the left side, and relief scroll designs on the left rear on a textured background. A wooden ramrod with horn tip is included and the second swivel is fitted to the middle ramrod pipe.

Fine. The shotgun retains 75% of the blue finish and nearly all of the case colors and displays a brown patina on the balance with some spotting particularly around the barrel markings and minor edge wear. The stock is fine with attractive figure, sharp checkering and carving, overall minor scrapes and dings, some minor repairs around the locks and small crack on the upper right edge of the forend. The markings are partially obscured on the locks but are decipherable. The locks are mechanically excellent. The front barrel band and swivel have been reattached.