A Very Fine Austrian 22 Bore Percussion Silver & Gold Mounted Sporting Gun. Mid 18th century, rebuilt from flintlock circa mid 19th century. With blued barrel, raised sighting rib over most of its length silver fore sight centred on chiselled symemetrical foliage, involving a shell on each side and against finely punched gilt grounds, the breech section chiselled in relief with a landscape scene involving Meleager armed with a quiver and presenting the boars head to the seated figure of Atalanta, a female profile bust within a crowned palm wreath surmounted by drapery issuing from a satyrs mask, all within symmetrical arrangements of strapwork and foliage agsinst finely punched gilt grounds, breech and bolster, tang and dolphin hammer all decorated en suite.

Rounded lock chiselled with a sportsman shooting a hare in a landscape inhabited by wildfowl on a lake, all within a scalloped border and against finely punched gilt grounds and comprising shaped side plate with gundogs and game in a wooded landscape. Crowned escutcheon with a bust of Diana framed by strapwork and crossed palms, butt plate with the figure of Diana in a landscape surmounted by a hounds mask, a female mask, a female portrait bust against a crossed bow and quiver, and a grotesque mask against a shell, drapery issuing from its mouth, all along the heel tang within foliate borders, the plate with a panel of symmetrical foliage and shells en suite, crowned owners coat of arms above probably engraved at the time of conversion, and old armoury number no.274 below. Trigger guard and fallen boar in a wooden landscape on the bow, baluster ramrod pipes, replacement dark horn fore end cap and contemporary ramrod with a horn tip.

This sporting gun is one of the best examples of the mid Baroque style we have ever seen. The classical imagery and profuse engraving are a testament to the maker, and represent some of the most detailed work in precious metals seen on a gun. A description of the decorative work on this gun does not do justice to the quality of work displayed herein, and one could admire this gun all day without becoming bored. This was almost certainly made for someone of social standing, possibly a European Prince, and has survived in remarkable condition. It could almost be said that this gun is more a work of art than it is a sporting tool.