An exceptional double-barrelled shotgun from the personal property of the Emperor Napoleon III of France Dating: mid-19th Century Provenance: Paris Round, twisted, 18 mm cal. barrels, with raised rib and silver foresight, the breech signed GASTINNE RENETTE ARQ. DE S. M. L'EMPEREUR, EXP.ON on a side and 1855 on the other, bas-relieved, gilded decorations picturing vine shoots and bunches of grapes around the signature, the nozzle decorated en suite; chiselled, iron tang, locks, hammers and spark arresters; ebony half stock majestically carved with high-relieved hunting scenes and oak leaves with bas-relieved garlands; raceme-shaped, red gold tarsia around the tang, the back of the butt and the palm rest; beautiful, high-relieved, silver mounts decorated with trophies, oak leaves with garlands, vine shoots and bunches of grape. Ebony ramrod with gilded mounts. At the back the imperial coat of arms of Napoleon III, the shield is surrounded by the Legion of Honor, with the scepter and hand of justice in saltire behind it, and an ermine-lined mantle decorated with bees.   In its wooden case slightly bent at the sides; chiselled cover picturing hunting scenes among racemes with oak leaves and garlands; at the center of the cover is another gilt-silver coat of arms of Napoleon III, at the corners are imperial, crowned eagles among laurel and oak branches joined one to the other with a garland of flowers; the sides chiselled en suite; the inside (of the cover) lined with green velvet (slightly worn and faded), at the center a high-relieved, gold embroidered coat of arms, at the borders a frame consisting of embroidered vegetable motifs; finely engraved, iron mounts at the inside, the padlock signed GASTINNE RENETTE ARQ. DE S. M. L'EMPEREUR. The case lining and the tools are missing, it only keeps a turn-off, chiselled ebony ramrod with brass mounts. This outstanding shotgun was manufactured for the Emperor Napoleon III and presented at the Exposition Universelle held in Paris from May 15 to November 15, 1855. Paris exposition was one of the major events in France; counties from all over the world participated whit their best products. The gunsmith Gastinne-Renette took part in the exhibition, exposing three objects created for the Emperor, among them is this outstanding shotgun.   condition report: very good