This circa 1730-1740 sporting gun was the work of Johann Jacob Behr who is recorded as having worked in Wurzburg, Maastricht and Liege and is identified as having formed part of the Collections of the Grand Dukes of Saxe-Weimar held at Schloss Ettersburg and as acquired by Norman R. Blank from W. Keith Neal in February 1976. The stamped lead inventory tag reads "Z.A./PACKHOF/NIEDERLG./BERLIN/5" and has a reichsadler on the other side. The smoothbore barrel has a rounded blade front sight flanked by scroll engraving, long sighting flat signed "I.I. BEHR," a relief chiseled and engraved breech section with gilt backgrounds and coordinating tang with sighting groove. The faceted lock is decorated en suite and has a non-bridled and faceted priming-pan. The mounts are gilt brass cast and chased with rococo ornament inhabited with masks, the pierced side-plate with classical figures, a lion and classical trophy of arms. The full stock has fine relief foliate carving and a large cheekpiece with fluted edge and carved scroll accents. Wooden ramrod with brass cap and a full length tampion with turned knob. Provenance: The Grand Dukes of Saxe-Weimar; W. Keith Neal; The Norman R. Blank Collection

Exceptionally fine with bright gold, distinct engraving and chiseling, expertly replaced cock, with some scattered light patina and traces of pitting, and generally minor overall wear. The expertly refinished stock is fine with crisp relief carving and minor cracks visible on the left at the breech. Mechanically fine. Overall, a very attractive early 18th century sporting gun from renowned gunmaker Johann Jacob Behr and formerly held in multiple notable collections.