Manufactured by Francois-Alexander Chasteau around the mid-1700s. The lock plates are signed "Chasteau A Paris" ahead of the hammers. "CHATEAU A PARIS CANON CORDU" is elaborately inlaid in gold on the solid rib towards the rear. Gold inlaid work which includes floral and patriotic/military motifs flank the solid rib marking and extend 9 inches from the breech on both barrels. A large gold inlaid star burst pattern surrounds the blade front sight, and double gold inlaid bands are at the muzzles. The barrel tang has a grooved rear sight. The iron buttplate is artfully shaped and chiseled with a bird and French horn motif engraved on the tang. The trigger guard features an engraved horn and drum motif and a chiseled decorative finial. The nicely figured straight grip half stock features a high relief floral scroll carving on the underside of the forearm and around the barrel tang. The buttstock is fitted with a leather cheek rest that extends to both sides of the stock. Length of pull is 13 1/2 inches.

Fine. The barrels retain 50% faded original blue finish with the balance a smooth brown patina. The remaining metal surfaces have a mixed gray patina. The stock is also fine showing a few age cracks extending from the buttplate, a repaired chip on the forearm and some minor handling marks. Mechanically fine.