Manufactured circa 1875-80. Browned twist barrels with the right tube rifled and chambered in 450 long black powder express, the left tube smoothbore for ball or shot, partially matt rib numbered "2" of a pair, signed "ALBERT STAEHLE, K.K. HOF BÜCHSENMACHER, WIEN," bead front sight and blued standing rear sight. Casehardened action with sculpted percussion fences, fitted with safety-stops for the hammers and chiselled in relief on the underlever with the crest of the Emperor Franz Josef I, back action locks respectively signed "STAEHLE" and "IN WIEN," front set trigger, casehardened trigger guard, dark horn scrolled pistol grip finger rest. Figured 13 inch stock with checkered grip and forend, bright steel buttplate engraved with the serial number and iron sling mounts. Decorated throughout with best quality border and light scroll engraving. Weight is 8 lbs. 1.8 oz. This gun bears the German crowned "V" Vorratszeichen mark denoting pre-1891 manufacture. Albert Staehle (1828-1880) is recorded in the Josefstadt area of Vienna from circa 1865. Provenance: Property of a German Prince, great, great grandchild of Emperor Franz Josef I, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary.

Very fine. The barrels retain 95% original brown finish with some minor storage and handling marks and three areas where patches of corrosion have been removed. Left side of the cartridge extractor is slightly bent. The action, locks and trigger guard retain 95% original vibrant casehardened finish. The right hand safety stop is broken through at the neck. The stock has minor storage and handling marks (mostly noticeable being a small patch of surface scratches beneath the cheekpiece). The checkering remains sharp. The buttplate is bright with clear engraving. The front trigger sets. This is a marvelous quality gun made for the Austo-Hungarian Emperor that remains in very fine overall condition.