Carlo Maria Colombo of Milan, Italy, is known to have presented arms at the World's Fairs, including in 1862 at the Great London Exposition, and won multiple awards for his impressive arms and inventions such as sabers with onboard pinfire revolvers. He was one of 19th century Italy's great artistic arms makers and was also a dealer and restorer. Some of his arms were supplied to the Poldi Pezzoli collection, and a double barrel percussion shotgun in the Museo Poldi Pezzoli in Milan has some similarities to this rifle. The barrel of this highly ornate rifle is gold inlaid with "C. M. Colombo premiato pin bolte/Manifactore d'Armi pribilegiata Milano" on the upper flats in the midsection. The back action lock is signed "COLOMBO IN MILAN" around the rear of the hammer in gold. The barrel is sculpted like a column and has gold bands at the muzzle and breech, fluting in the midsection, additional gold accents by the markings and engraving, and deep relief intertwining floral scroll engraving inhabited by birds. The rear sight is a particularly interesting element. It is sculpted as a reposed goat, and the adjustment screw below the tail raises and lowers the head to adjust the sight for elevation. The horns have a notch and a peep hole. The front sight is a more traditional bead sight, and the rifle has an adjustable single set trigger. The front of the rotary lever is intricately sculpted as a soldier with a rifle, bayonet, and knapsack. The lock and action components feature elaborate deep sculpted/deep relief engraved intertwining scroll patterns inhabited by various animals, including fowl, deer, and other beasts. The side plate also has the nature god Pan playing his flute. The forearm has a golden cap under the pierced and sculpted iron and has a gold bordered inlay with a crown/coronet surmounting an escutcheon with a cross. The forearm and stock are highly figured deluxe walnut. The buttstock has a shadowline cheekpiece on the left, and the bottom has a multi-tool and a sling swivel each surrounded by ouroboros motifs. The case has engraved brass plates on the lid, purple lining, an engraved bullet mold, a screwdriver, and a three-piece rod.

Exceptionally fine with most of the period refurbished blue on the barrel, smooth gray with patina on the balance, crisp engraving and designs, and minor overall wear. The wood is fine and has beautiful figure, some minor repairs and thin cracks due to the nature of the figure concentrated in the wrist, and a chip absent from the right side of the forearm at the rear. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are fine and have mild storage wear, and the case exterior is refinished. This is an extraordinary rifle that was likely displayed at one of the famous 19th century exhibitions in the 1850s or early 1860s. Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz collection.