An extremely elegant gun from the property of John VI King of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil Dating: first quarter of the 19th Century Provenence: England Round, blued, smoothbore barrel, with a square base, signed »D. Joao Princepe Regente de Portugal Imperador do Brasil» in gold and decorated, also in gold, at the nozzle with a radial star around the (missing) foresight and with a frame of leaves, on the breech is a crowned shield above trophies, at the base is a hound and ducks, 19 mm cal.; engraved and gilded tang; innovative filntlock provided with anti-friction sealing system, signed »BECKWITH», engraved and gilded with floral motifs, the borders are decorated with fishbone patterns, inside is a gilded pan, on the upper jaw are gilded rays, on the part above the spring is a silver shield; briarwood half-stock, finely checkered at the throw with fine silver mounts provided with London hallmarks for the year 1808; the trigger guard is engraved with floral patterns and the tip with a vase in the English Empire style; the guard is engraved en suite, provided with the same silver stamps and with the serial no. of Peter I's personal hunting armory, »N° 19»; silver-tipped wooden ramrod. Because of the Napoleon's invasion, the Prince Regent and most of his Court left Europe for Brazil (protectorate of the Portuguese Crown) and were escorted by English Military ships; the British Officers were thanked by John VI, who honored them with the most important Portuguese decoration, which he gave back for the occasion: The Tower and The Sword. The British ships were also given special permits in the Brazilian ports.