This stunning exhibition quality early smoothbore air gun has the fancy relief cut maker name "BAUCHERON A PARIS" signed on the top flat at the breech, and features highly artistic and imaginative engraving. J.D. Baucheron is listed as active out of Paris between circa 1823-1856. The frame, trigger guard, cock, ramrod pipes and barrel sections at the breech and muzzle feature a full coverage very high quality intricate floral engraving. The trigger is engraved with a series of dots. Amongst the floriated motif featured on the frame is classical imaginary: god of the sun Helios riding a three horse drawn chariot surrounded by a formation of flying putti (left side), a crowned putto (possibly meant to be a young Hermes) sitting on a throne holding the lyre (top) and the goddess of the soul Psyche dropping flower petals and tailed by a putto (right side). Dragon-like creatures appear on the underside and right side of the frame. The engraver name "Gve PAR LANGLOIS PARIS" is marked inside a fancy banner below the hammer. This is possibly Eustache-Hyacinthe Langlois (August 3rd, 1877-September 29th, 1837), a masterful and well known French painter, draftsman, writer and engraver, nicknamed the "Norman Callot." The trigger guard has a blank initial panel. The engraved surfaces appear to have been left in the white, and the non-engraved surfaces of the Damascus barrel are brown. The tip of the steel ramrod is also engraved. The highly figured walnut stock features full length flutes and engraved hardware. The hardware, which includes the flat buttplate, features a similar floriated engraving found on the aforementioned components. The deluxe highly figured walnut stock has incised carved leaves on the side of the wrist. The buttstock also acts as the air reserve. The burled walnut veneer takedown case has brass corner protectors and is lined in royal purple velvet. Fixed bead front sight and notch rear sight. The accessories include an air pump, bullet mold, key, a few lead balls, takedown tool, and a loading tool. "Wind guns" had several advantages over conventional flintlock firearms of the time, including that they were quieter, smokeless, quicker to reload, and relatively unaffected by rain. They also required less cleaning since they did not require corrosive black powder like flintlocks. An exhibition quality embellished air gun of this style would have been an advanced hunting weapon of the time, fit for an individual of high status. Provenance: The William Renwick Collection; The Robert M. Lee Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Exceptionally fine. The barrel retains 85% plus original brown Damascus striping showing some areas of thinning and some scattered minor surface rust. The remaining metal surfaces retain an overall, crisp, untouched, original, polished bright appearance. The engraving is crisp. The buttstock is very fine showing a number of minor handling marks and a 1 inch crack in the comb, with most of the finish remaining overall. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good with handling/storage marks and sun faded lining. The included accessories are also fine. The air pump is seized. An exhibition quality 19th century air gun with case and accessories reserved for European aristocrats and royalty. The extraordinary level of artistry exhibited in this piece is unmatched. One may look a lifetime to find a finer example than this!