The lock of this unusual sporting gun is signed "B LIEVENS," and the breech collar is marked "VIGILATE DEO CONFIDENTE" (Watch Trusting in God).The only Lievens listed in Heer's "Der Neue Stockel" is listed in 's-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) in the Netherlands around 1616-1648 (same period as the Thirty Years' War). The Latin motto was that of the County of Holland which was the dominant force within the Dutch Republic which was itself the most powerful commercial empire in the 17th century. The barrel has a band at the muzzle, wood veneer over most of the length, and a 3/4 inch silver and gilded brass collar at the breech, and the separate breech section is silver with gilded brass bands and is 2 7/8 inch long. The furniture is all silver or silver plated brass and has a mix of acanthus scrollwork with mask and animal faces intermixed. The side plate is particularly attractive. The thumb plate has a coronet over a monogram. There is a small switch on the bottom of the wrist that unlocks the butt so that it can be unscrewed. The butt is hollowed to reduce weight. The stock is beautifully figured burl walnut and has attractive subtle carved accents and well-formed tear drop flats.

Fine with aged patina on the silver, traces of the original gilding, minor marks, moderate splitting along the wood barrel cover, absent upper jaw and work needed on the lock mechanism, small dings and scratches on the stock, a slight tension crack at the rear lock screw, a small round filled spot on the left side of the butt with slight hairline cracks, crisp carving, and vibrant figure. This is a highly unusual and very desirable piece from the Dutch Golden Age.