Manufactured circa 1860-1865. Fine etched twist Damascus barrels with multi-groove rifling and inlaid with two entwined gold lines at the breech, raised rib bearing a bead front sight, signed "JOH. SPRINGER VORM. NOWOTNY IN WEIN" in gold and gold inlaid stand number "6" framed by scrollwork towards the breech. Sculpted breeches each engraved with scrollwork, plug in the form of a rosette, and engraved in low relief with a duck against a matte ground on the rib between. Long tang engraved with scrollwork against a matte ground and gold inlaid stand number "6" and the crowned monogram of Emperor Franz Josef I inlaid in gold. Stepped bar-in-wood side locks each with safety stop, engraved with scrollwork inhabited by a bearded mask, all against a matte ground and respectively signed "SPRINGER" and "IN WEIN." Well-figured 13 ½ inch walnut half-stock with checkered grip and raised cheekpiece. Articulated front trigger, trigger guard finely engraved with a scene involving a dog and a rabbit in a wooded landscape, scrolled dark horn pistol grip finger rest. The remaining mounts are engraved en suite with the locks. Original wooden ramrod with white metal tip bearing the matching stand number "6," two iron sling mounts, and period brown leather sling. This fine ball gun formed part of a much larger stand of hunting arms with near identical engraved decoration and would have been for the Emperor to arm guests who were hunting with him. Provenance: Property of a German Prince, great, great grandchild of Emperor Franz Josef I, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary.

Good. The etched twist Damascus has not been polished smooth and there are some small scattered patches of surface corrosion marking, mostly localized around the muzzles. There is a shallow pressure dent in the right barrel. The locks have a clear unpolished engraving, there is some dried oil on the surface sheltered by the hammers, and a small patch of surface corrosion to the right lock. The stock has numerous storage bruises and marks. The checkering remains sharp. There is some scattered surface corrosion around the triggers, inside of the trigger guard and on the buttplate. The engraving remains strong and clear throughout. This gun has been in storage for many decades and has not been restored in any way.