A .600 PERCUSSION SINGLE-SHOT PARK RIFLE SIGNED W. MACLAUGHLAN, EDINBURGH, no visible serial number, circa 1840, with slightly swamped 28in. octagonal fine damascus barrel, applied fore-sight, standing notch rear-sight with additional folding leaf, faint traces of previous gilded arabesque decoration, mostly now concealed by fore-end, squared breech with moulded nipple-boss, long engraved top-tang, border and gamescene engraved back-action lock featuring running and resting stags, the border signed 'W. MACLAUGHLAN, EDIN'R' below the scroll engraved dolphin-headed hammer, walnut half-stock chequered at the wrist, iron furniture engraved with scrolls and the masks of big cats, single set trigger and brass-tipped ebony ramrod.

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.