British 16 bore percussion shotgun made for King Ernest Augustus of Hannover

A British shotgun made for King Ernest Augustus of Hannover.

Built by both Henry Thatcham and A. Tanner of Hannover.

The shotgun is a 16 bore percussion muzzle loader with Damascus twist barrels in immaculate condition, it features German silver fittings, delicately engraved nature scenes and inlaid with gold on the hammers and also the cartouche. The cartouche bears the cypher of Augustus when he was King so this dates the shotgun to about 1840.

King Ernest Augustus was the fifth son of George III and brother of William 4th. 2nd in line to the throne after Queen Victoria but due to Salic law he inherited the throne of Hannover instead. The king was very conservative even by Victorian standards and took part in several battles with Hanoverian troops against the French during their Revolutionary wars. He obtained a wound to the head during this time, he was also a controversial figure with rumours being spread that he had murdered one of his valets.

A beautiful item of Royal Quality.