Beautiful Beringer system shotgun, two-shot, 12-gauge. Round, ribbon, damascus, table-top barrels with floating thunder strikers, marked on the band in gold "Invon Beringer Bté à Paris". Back plates signed "Beringer à Paris", hammers, rocker and fittings finely chased with foliage scrolls and birds. Opening buttplate with two housings. Veined walnut stock. B.E. (some slight oxidation). Circa 1850. Total length: 1.15 m. Barrel length: 0.75 m. Beringer Beatus, mechanic then harquebusier in Paris and Saint-Etienne. Patent in 1833 for a new firearm with or without ordinary powder, additive in 1834. Numerous other patents to improve breech-loading weapons; creator of the Beringer system, advocates the use of nickel silver in cartridge manufacture. Paris Exhibitions in 1839, 1838, 1849 and 1855 (1st class medal). London Exhibition in 1851

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.