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There are animals among the designs, some in contrasting metals, including a fox pursuing a bird on the right lock, pair of pheasants on the left lock stalked by a dog, and a rabbit on the buttplate tang. The scroll and animal designs are in keeping with the patterns published by Gustav Ernst, a lead instructor at the Industrial School in Zella that trained many of the best arms engravers of the 19th century, including many of the best German-American engravers. The famous Colt Dragoon in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection has patterns based on this same style. The buttstock has fine checkering with elaborately carved scroll borders, a reposed hunter on the rear of the trigger guard (appears to be loading his gun with a now absent ramrod), deep molding on the edge of the cheek rest, and a boar beset by a pack of dogs in a detail scene behind the
cheek rest. The carving is incredible.
CONDITION: Fine with dark aged patina on the silver, bright gold, smooth gray and brown patina, crisp twist patterns and designs, some minor oxidation/pitting, and generally light overall wear from age and storage. The stock is very fine and has most of the original finish, exceptional carving, crisp checkering, several minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. This is an incredible and rare four barrel shotgun certainly worthy of an influential nobleman. Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
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