Manufactured circa 1805. The damascus barrels are signed "D. EGG, LONDON" in gold on the concave solid rib and features double gold bands at the breech and gold inlay flanking the blade front sight. The underside of the barrel are stamped with London proof marks. The lightly engraved lock plates are signed "D. Egg." The engraving extends to the barrel tang, trigger guard, hammers and forend cap. Gold lined touch holes and pans. The gilt thumb escutcheon is engraved: "Manuport" inside a banner above a raised arm grasping a dagger and initials. Mounted on a nicely figured checkered walnut half stock. Durs Egg (1748-1831) was one of the finest gunmakers in London in the late 1700s and early 1800s. He was born in Switzerland, trained in Solothurn and Paris, emigrated to United Kingdom in 1772, worked for John Twigg, opened his own shop in 1778, served as a gunmaker to the Prince of Wales, and was the co-creator of one of the first airship designs. Unfortunately, he was blinded in 1822, but the business carried on under his name long after his death. Egg's firearms were manufactured in a wide variety of patterns, all with an eye towards overall quality.