This stunning gun is a fabulous example of the "armes de luxe" genre of exhibition grade firearms produced in France and Belgium during the 19th century showcasing the extraordinary decorative skill of the finest gunmakers. Celestin Dandoy (1807-1870) was a gunmaker and Alderman in Liege and became the general director of the Liege Firearms Manufactory (Manufacture Liegoise d'Armes a Feu) in 1866. He had previously become a licensed producer of the British Adams 1851 percussion revolver. The barrels are nicely patterned Damascus. The rib has a brass bead front sight and is signed "C. Dandoy a Liege" in gold. The plugs have thin gold bands. The underside of the barrels has Liege proofs along with a "CD" maker's mark. The locks and furniture have incredibly detailed hunting scenes with gold inlaid hunters, dogs, horses, game, and engraved trees and foliage in the contrasting casehardened or blued backgrounds depending on the part. The scenes vary throughout and depict hunts of a stag, a boar, and a fox. There are also extensive gold floral designs in the remaining space. The nicely figured, half-length stock has fine checkering on the wrist bordered by incised scroll and floral carving and has a 14 1/8 inch length of pull. Sling eyes are fitted to the bottom of the butt and the middle barrel band. The shotgun comes in a very attractive rosewood takedown case with plum colored lining, a takedown cleaning rod, combination screwdriver/nipple wrench, turned container with sling swivels inside, a leather shot flask, bore brushes, an oiler, a Dixon & Sons flask, "14" bore marked ball mold, jag, and spare nipples.

Excellent with 98% plus original finish, bright gold inlays, crisp engraving, distinct Damascus patterns, some very minor spots of surface oxidation, and generally only light handling and storage wear. The stock is also excellent and has crisp checkering and carving, stunning flame figure, minor handling and storage marks, and a smooth finish. The right lock requires mechanical attention, but the left lock is mechanically excellent. The rosewood case and accessories are very fine and have minor age and storage related wear. The Liege and Parisian gunmakers won many awards for their artistry at international exhibitions in the 19th century, and this cased set is certainly an extraordinary example of the skill and artistry of the finest of the Liege gunmakers.