Page 240 - 4092-BOOK3-FLIPBOOK

238
LOT 3297
Spectacular Cased Double Barrel Percussion Shotgun with Gilt Barrels and Elaborate Silver Mounts by Jalabert-Lamotte
of St. Etienne - Serial no. 88, 16 gauge, 36 3/4 inch solid rib bbl., blue/gold/casehardened/silver finish, walnut stock. The locks of this beautiful 19th century percussion sporting gun are signed “F Par Jalabert/Lamotte” (right) and “St Etienne” (left) in script and features foliate engraving along with scenes with dogs on the tails and dog shaped hammers. The markings indicate the gun came from the shop
of gunmaker Jean-Louis Jalabert (1766-1846) of St. Etienne, France, who had married Marie-Anne Lamotte of the Lamotte gunmaking family in 1787 and signed his work with Jalabert Lamotte. The two-stage smoothbore barrels have a blade front sight with a gold inlaid arrow on the
rib, gold eagle and starburst designs along with foliate accents at the transition point, and long gilt breech sections. The left breech plug appears to be stamped “H/REBOS,” and “88” is stamped on the underside of the left barrel and also on several of the other components, sometimes along with an additional “5”
marking. The furniture is all silver and features beautifully executed raised relief hunting motifs, including various game animals and a large hanging game trophy on the
trigger guard. The buttplate has a sprung trapdoor revealing the compartment for the included bayonet. The nicely figured half-stock has a checkered forend and wrist, fowl shaped end
of the wrist with relief scroll carving, and further relief carving at the tail of the rounded cheekpiece. The gun comes in a finely figured French burl walnut veneered case with green lining closely fitted to the gun and the various accessories, including powder and shot flasks, spring clamp, and bullet mold.
CONDITION: Very fine with 90% plus of the original blue finish, 95% plus of the bright original gold, distinct designs and attractive natural aged patina on the silver mounts, and light original case colors and smooth patina on the locks as well as a chip on each fence. Overall, wear is generally very minimal and associated with age and storage. The stock is also very fine and has crisp checkering and carving, minor scratches and dings, and two chips to the right edge of the forearm. The bayonet compartment has shrunk slightly with age, and the bayonet no longer fits. Mechanically fine. The case and accessories are fine with minor storage wear. Overall, a spectacular cased set. Estimate: 18,000 - 32,500