Friedrich Wilhelm Berger was active in 1827-1860 and was a court gunsmith in Cothen. He is known to have manufactured five percussion guns for the famous ornithologist and fellow Cothen (Köthen) resident Johann Friedrich Naumann, including three shotguns with extra long barrels. This impressive large bore gun has a blade front sight, "76" in script along with British ordnance proofs at the breech suggesting the barrel was manufactured in the Georgian era, "EC" on the left at the breech, "F. BERGER/A COTHEN," on the scroll engraving, double set triggers, horn forend cap and buttplate, leaf and scroll carving, carved wolf head with inlaid eyes at the ramrod entry point, carved horn trigger guard, pin accented checkering with scroll borders, horn accents, a silver inlaid and bordered Gothic "O" on the wrist, prominent cheek rest, and a walnut and horn patch box lid with coordinating carving and checkering and "7 s" on the inside. An "F/136" marked brass inventory tag is on the sling swivel, and the rear sling swivel is absent.

Very good with a mottled brown blend on the metal along with spots of mild pitting and general mild wear. There are vice marks/tool wear on the breech section and a slight cab at the breech. The stock is also very good with crisp carving, chips and slivers absent along with some cracking at the edges of the forend, flash wear at the breech, some slight gaps, and scattered pressure marks and scratches. Mechanically fine.