This elaborate late flintlock era double barrel sporting gun by Blasius Sailer of Ehingen, Baden-Wurttemberg, around 1820 has an interesting breech and lock arrangement with sliding covers for the vents that automatically opened by lifters inside the lock that operate when the cocks fall. The barrels have a rounded silver blade front sight, "HL" on the left at the breech, and an "F" on the right at the breech. The standing breech has a dished rear sight. The right lock is signed "Sailer," and the left lock is marked "in Ehingen." Both have border engraving and rainproof pans. The stock is fitted with gilt-silver, silver, and other contrasting furniture and accents. The ramrod entry pipe has an imperial eagle. There are two female masks on the bottom of the forend. The finial for the trigger guard has Pan/Bacchus themed design with a bowl of fruit on a horned and bearded face with winged armor and a single bestial leg, and a mask of a hound is at the front of the ribbed bow. The semi-pistol grip has a bestial mask cap, and a escutcheon with classical martial trophies is on the wrist. Other smaller elements include masks of people, lions, and sheep; pairs of swans drinking from a vessel on either side of the butt, a satyr or other Pan/Bacchic figure on the buttplate tang, wire inlaid floral scroll patterns, and numerous pins, including among the checkering on the forend and wrist. Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr

Very good. The barrel and locks are mostly bright with some light patination and spots of light oxidation, the furniture displays a mix of colors, including bright original gold on the trigger plate and darker aged patina on some of the silver. The refinished stock is also very good and has cracks at the front of the locks, crack and spliced repairs in the butt, some absent small accents, and distinct checkering. The right vent cover is partially repaired and needs work to function properly; otherwise the gun is mechanically fine.