This early breech loading double barrel shotgun comes from the well-respected shop of Johann Springer in Vienna around the 1860s and may have been made as an exhibition piece for one of the World's Fairs or other international exhibitions of the period given its high level of ornamentation. The smoothbore Damascus barrels feature a nickel silver bead front sight and "JOH. SPRINGER IN WIEN" in a chiseled panel on the rib. There are faint markings on the underside of the barrels including "68". The breech end of the barrels have relief engraved Germanic foliate scrollwork which then continues throughout the other components accenting a variety of scenes. The hammers are finely chiseled and pierced with canid masks and scrollwork, and the lever is likewise chiseled in the round with a detailed fox. The back action locks have non-rebounding hammers. The right lock includes a scene of a pair of dogs and birds, and the left lock features a pair of roe deer. The upper tang features a pair of grouse. The underside of the action features a detailed scene of a houndsman standing over a fallen roebuck, blowing his horn, and accompanied by a pack of hounds. The trigger guard has a carved and pierced horn grip extension. The forend and buttstock feature coordinating relief foliate scroll carving along with a scenes of two dogs taking down a stag on the right and a boar behind the cheekpiece on the left. "114" is stamped in the buttstock between the blank gold escutcheon and the sling swivel. The walnut case has engraved German silver fittings and incised carving, purple velvet lining with gilt stamped Springer maker's mark, and a suite of loading and maintenance equipment in German silver and ebony with contrasting inlays. A leather outer case cover is also included. The gun was purchased by Norman R. Blank on April 7, 1960, and a certificate from F. Theodore Dexter for Mr. Blank listing the gun is included. A copy of a letter from Mr. Blank in 2002 discusses his belief that this was an exhibition gun. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .666/.664 inches; choke constriction .003/.002 inches; minimum wall thickness .020/.023 inches; 1 7/16 inch drop at comb; 1 7/8 inch drop at heel; 13 7/8 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs. 6 oz. Provenance: Kerr's Sport Shop; The Norman R. Blank Collection

Very fine with 95% plus original brown finish on the barrels, some slight spots of spotting, smooth French gray on the action and mounts, crisp engraving throughout, and generally minimal light age and storage related wear. The wood is also very fine and exhibits crisp carving and some minor scratches. Mechanically excellent. The straps on the leather outer are torn. The accessories are very fine with storage wear. The case has an absent key plate, repaired crack on the right side, and storage wear. Overall, a stunning cased early breech-loading shotgun from one of Europe's finest gunmakers.