Beschreibung:

A VERY FINE 18-BORE FRENCH SILVER-MOUNTED FLINTLOCK FOWLING-PIECE BY CHARRIERE, PLACE DU LOVURE ( SIC ) A PARIS, PARIS SILVER MARKS FOR 1742, WITH POINONS OF LOUIS ROBIN With tapering barrel signed in gold letters on the sighting rib and retaining much of its original blued finish, silver fore-sight set within a panel of gilt foliated scrollwork, and further gilt decoration at the muzzle and breech, the latter with a gilt martial trophy surmounted by a baldachin, gilt touch-hole, finely engraved tang, border engraved flat bevelled lock chiselled with a standing putto sculpting a cartouche bearing the maker's signature, and on the stepped tail with a trophy of the chase, all on a gilt fish-roe ground, chiselled and gilt cock, pan, and steel, the last with dolphin terminal, moulded figured full stock carved in relief with scrollwork, foliage and a grotesque mask behind the rear ramrod-pipe, and with strapwork and two stylised marine monsters at the barrel tang, full silver mounts finely cast and chased with shells, grotesque masks, and garlands of flowers and foliage in relief against a matted ground (originally gilt), pierced side-plate involving monsters and an oval Classical portrait medallion, the butt enriched with silver wire scrollwork, silver escutcheon (arms erased), four cast and chased silver ramrod-pipes, four silver barrel-bolts, and original ramrod with iron-capped rootwood tip 42½in. (108cm.) barrel (3)