I got to examine and photograph the Le Page recently and I thought the pictures might give someone some inspiration or ideas. Here is what I determined from research. The gun is marked "A 1831" under the barrels, presumably Anno 1831. It was built by Jean André Prosper Henri Le Page. 30” barrels (not cut, see gold inlays around muzzles), something less than 12 gauge, perhaps 14 or 16 gauge. Hard to determine if there is a choke to them. Barrels appear to be Damascus, and were originally bright polished steel as I can find no indication under the barrels that they were browned or blued. The action is a trigger plate lock, loaded in from the bottom under the trigger plate (thank you Seth!). No visible action showing. Only the hammers / cocks. Gold inlays and gold damascening on tang, hammers, barrels, trigger guard, buttplate and triggers. The stock is elaborately relief carved on both sides of the buttstock, the wrist, and the fore end. The buttstock has mirror image panels on each side of a Pegasus chasing a greyhound chasing a rabbit in wild relief carved burled walnut. The wrist “checkering” appears to be a stylized fleur-de-lis repeating pattern. Under the fore end is carved what appears to be Artemis, goddess of the hunt. Along the top of the barrel ribs reads “Le Page, Arq er du Roi”. Translated, this is “Le Page, gunmaker of the King.” This is also in gold relief on the bottom of the action area. Le Page guns to French Kings would have been equivalent to Faberge’ items to the Czar Nicholas. The gun has a single-hook, hooked breech. One nipple has been smashed. The breeches have side vents that are not tarnished, and therefore I believe to be platinum. The gun is serial numbered 32XX. Does anyone know of records showing serials and where the guns were sent, like some of the English makers? Sadly, the forearm was cracked across, and needs a competent repair. Below are some more photos. God Bless, and best wishes, Marc
