Manufactured circa 1880-1890. With browned damascus barrels inlaid at each breech end with two small silver curved bands, and raised flat rib with bead front sight and silver inlaid maker's signature "RIEGER IN MÜNCHEN". Grey casehardened action with Lefaucheux type rotary underlever with shaped dark horn grip. Grey casehardened back-action side locks and scrolled trigger guard with pierced and scrolled walnut finger rest behind. Well figured 13 3/4 inch stock carved in relief with dog in a woodland scene behind the raised cheekpiece, and checkered grip panels and forearm. Steel buttplate engraved with the serial number "4123" on the tang. Iron sling stud beneath the butt and iron sling mount beneath the barrels, engraved in low relief with scrolling foliage and shells against a dark matte ground throughout, the right lock engraved with a vignette involving a fox flushing a bird and the left lock with pheasant. This gun bears the crowned "V" Vorratszeichen mark denoting pre-1891 manufacture. Provenance: Property of a German Prince, the great, great grandchild of Emperor Franz Josef I, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. Almost certainly from the same stand of arms as lots 3281 and 3282 from the December 2017 Premiere Sale.

Fine. The barrels retaining some original browned finish with some rubbing at the muzzles, numerous minor storage and handling blemishes, scratches and marks, some scattered spots of surface corrosion marking. The silver inlay remains intact. Some minor discoloration to the casehardened parts, generally much light gray casehardened finish remains. The engraving is clear and sharp throughout with some minor rubbing on exposed parts such as the trigger guard scroll. There is a patch of surface corrosion on the buttplate and some dried oil around the action fences. The stock has numerous storage and handling gouges, scratches and bruises. There is an old repaired crack running through the butt visible on each side. Mechanically fine.