President of Mexico Le Page Double Barrel Percussion Shotgun

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  Lot #313  (Sale Order: 312 of 664) 
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Extraordinary Historic Documented Presentation Cased Exhibition Quality Le Page-Moutier Double Barrel Percussion Shotgun with Relief Chiseled Embellishment and Elaborately Carved Ebony Stock Presented by the President of France to the President of Mexico and Once Part of the Harolds Club Museum of the Old West Collection

This extraordinary exhibition quality relief chiseled double barrel percussion shotgun features masterpiece lever craftsmanship of the highest quality, including deep relief chiseled motifs, three dimensional carved steel components, and a beautifully carved ebony stock and case. The overall theme of this incredible shotgun is one of the pleasures of the hunt and wine. It was manufactured by the famous Le Page Moutier shop in Paris and completed in 1860. It was almost certainly displayed in some of the exhibitions of the period before it was later presented to Mexican President Manuel Gonzales Flores by French President Jules Grevy.Le Page was a Parisian firearms manufacturer established in 1717 and run by the same family until 1913, including by Gilles Michel Louis Moutier-Le Page who ran the illustrious firm from 1842 to late 1860s. During this period, fine arms by Le Page Moutier as the company was styled were among the finest arms manufactured for the 19th century's elaborate national and international exhibitions. The company under his leadership and then that of Emile Henry Faure Le Page won numerous accolades and awards, including at the International Exhibition in Paris in 1855 (1st Class Medal), 1867 (Silver Medal), 1878 (Gold Medal) 1889 (Grand Prix), in London in 1851 and 1862 (Prize Medals) and in Vienna 1873 (Medal of Progress). Given this extraordinary shotgun's completion in 1860, it may have been first displayed at the Exposition Universelle in Metz, France, in 1861 and was likely displayed at subsequent exhibitions such as the 1862 International Exhibition in London the following year during which the company is noted as displaying "Sporting guns, carbines, revolvers, &c." A somewhat similar shotgun from the firm is shown in "Masterpieces of Industrial Art & Sculpture at the International Exhibition, 1862 Vol. 1" in Plate 6: "French Ornamented Fire-Arms." The book states: "For 'Armes de luxe' Paris has long maintained supremacy over all competitors: the names of Devisme and Le Page Moutier are of world-wide note; to which follow worthily in suit Gastinne-Renette, Gaudin, Brun, Perrin, and Thomas, all of whom obtained the highest commendation of the Jury in Class 11." The jury report noted: "The sporting guns and the pistols exhibited by the Paris makers are chiefly remarkable for the extreme artistic beauty of their decorations, which are designed and executed with the greatest skill and taste, the ornamental parts of the gun being highly valued in France, and in other countries, to which the French gunmakers export largely, especially South America." The gun illustrated in the book is now in the Royal Armouries (object number: XII.4751), and their description notes: "The gun was exhibited at the 1862 International Exhibition in South Kensington and was awarded a medal. A similar gun was presented to the President of Mexico, Don Manuel Gonzales, by M. Paul Jules Grevy, President of France, in 1879."The Damascus barrels by Parisian barrel maker Leopold Bernard feature a solid concave rib signed "LE PAGE MOUTIER ARQer BREVETE A PARIS" in raised relief lettering with floral bloom accents flanked by raised foliate scrollwork. The rear of the barrels exhibit 9 inch panels of beautifully executed chiseled vine, leaf, and grape patterns on a finely beaded background, and there is a band of chiseled oak leaves and acorns at the front of the breech panels. A chiseled scroll pattern incorporating a beautifully carved three dimensional fox covers the fences and extends down the sides of the barrel breeches, and the hammers are finely chiseled in the form of dogs that pounce on each fox when the gun is fired as well as pierced scroll patterns. The breech hook and standing breech are numbered "998." The standing breech also features foliage scrollwork and has a chiseled vulture. The underside of the barrels are signed "LEOPOLD BERNARD/CANONNIER A PARIS" and have the numbers "N998" and "A1860" (barrel number and date) and two "crown/LB star" maker's marks. The rib is marked "57445 - 1850" on the underside. The two steel ramrod pipes also feature chiseled floral scrollwork, and the ramrod features coordinating embellishment on the ends. The locks and furniture feature the same high quality work as the barrels and are embellished en suite and feature a variety of intricate motifs. The back act
more... Provenance: Mexican President Manuel Gonzales from French President Jules Grevy; The Harolds Club Museum of the Old West Collection; Butterfield & Butterfield; Property of a Gentleman

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This item is part of Premier Firearms Auction - Day 1
 Friday, May 17, 2024 | 9:00 AM  Central
 
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President of Mexico Le Page Double Barrel Percussion Shotgun
President of Mexico Le Page Double Barrel Percussion Shotgun
Lot number: 313
Seller: Rock Island Auction Company
Event: Premier Firearms Auction - Day 1
Ends: Friday, May 17 | 9:00 AM  Central

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