French, early 19th century, .700 caliber, dual ignition system for self contained percussion or pinfire cartridges, 27-1/2 in. rifled 12 groove octagonal twist patterned browned barrels, ".....Beringer A Paris" on barrel rib with flip up rear sights and bead front sight, right barrel with bayonet lugs, back action lock, receiver, hammers and barrel tang with full coverage relief engraved foliate and scrollwork motifs, "Beringer a Paris" engraved on locks under hammers, reverse rotary underlever trigger guard with relief engraving and gilt initials in circle, "Crown" over "AB" marks on barrel flats with stamped "ALBERT BERNARD" and "CANNONIER A PARIS", "Beringer" stamped on receiver flats, barrel lug with "No. 1995" and "B's" in circles stamped on one side, double trap butt plate, forend, butt plate and trigger guard finials with matching relief engraving, highly figured and marbled European wooden stock, sling points and ramrod, 43-1/2 in. overall, comes with wooden case with inset brass circles, green interior, percussion caps, powder flasks and shot

Provenance: The Estate of Peter H. Tillou, Litchfield, Connecticut

handling wear and dings to barrels, light surface oxidation, bright bores with some oxidation, light oxidation to locks and furniture, dings and scratches with light handling wear to wooden surfaces, crack around entire wrist of stock, wear to forend with wooden chip repair, slots on action face to accommodate percussion cartridges are filled, bent ramrod, case with wear, surface abrasions, splits, cracks on base