A lovely toy for well-heeled shooters

I've always liked double-barreled side-by-side shotguns.  I recently came across this early-19th-century muzzle-loading example at Down East Trading Co. in Canada.  (Click the images for a larger view.)

It comes in a lovely baize-lined case, complete with all original accessories.

The shotgun is made of Damascus steel.  These close-ups show part of the patterning.  (Of course, it's only safe to use with blackpowder loads.)

The company describes the shotgun as follows:

We are pleased to offer an exceptional example of the work of Durs Egg who was one of the most famous London gunmakers of the early nineteenth century.  The piece is a percussion 16 gauge shotgun that remains in outstanding collector grade condition.  This example shows 29 1/2" barrels that retain 99% of their original grey Damascus finish.  This set shows bright excellent bores and  choked full and improved modified.  The 1/2" rib shows outstanding pattern finish and is engraved in fine script D Egg 1 Pall Mall London. Durs Egg occupied this location from 1816 to his death in 1831 and by his executors and Jon John Egg from 1832 to 1837.  The underside of the barrels is mounted with its original brass and walnut rod with worm and turned brass cap. The locks show the D Egg engraved mark, fine scrolled engraving with exceptional edge border.  Both plates show original blue and case color pins.  The plates are mounted with the original engraved hammers and screws.  The triggerguard shows the exceptional fine engraving with an English pointer.  The engraving on the butt tang, forstock and breech tang is exceptional.  The stock shows a LOB of 13 3/4" original finish and hand checkering. This shotgun rides in its walnut case with its original baise green lining.  All of the original tools and accessories appear to be inplace. The top of the case shows an old age crack on the bottom left side that is solid and not spreading. These accessories are "Dixon & Sons " flask patent circa 1830-1833.  This flask shows a less than common shape for the traditional English Flask.  The front face shows a hunter, dog and horse returning from a hunt with a dead stag.  The flask remains in 98% original condition. There is also a rare brass charger marked D-egg London and a pewter oil bottle built by Hawksley Sheffield. The case contains an original leather shot pouch with excellent super leather, as well as a tin of caps and an original nipple wrench.  In addition there is a three piece ebony wood cleaning rod. All of the above accessories appear to be original to the case or are pieces that were used with this shotgun during its time of actual usage.  This is an exceptional non restored example of an Engish percussion shotgun by one of the most respected and known makers.

At $5,995.00 Canadian, that seems like a bargain to me.  I wish I could afford it.  Oh, well . . . whoever buys it will own a piece of history.  I hope they'll appreciate it, and treat it as such.  That's a masterpiece.

Peter