Agostino Bustindui (1740-1802): a very fine Spanish 'miquelet' lock sporting gun, two-stage barrel

Agostino Bustindui (1740-1802): a very fine Spanish 'miquelet' lock sporting gun, two-stage barrel 34.5 in., the hexagonal lower stage giving way to a round upper stage having at its base a band of leaf sprays in low relief against a gilded ground, slightly flared muzzle, nickel-silver bead sight with gold inlaid accents on each side, the breech inlaid in gold with scrolling ornaments and bearing the maker's gilt seal marks (punzón); the steel lock dated 1792 and with characteristic external mainspring and transverse sears acting through the plate, all parts richly embellished with a combination of relief and incuse carving retaining some gilding, punzón of Miguel Castaño to the plate and to the front of the steel; half-stock with curving butt, nickel-silver furniture including a barrel band engraved with acanthus scrolls and the name 'MANZANERO' and a band spring projecting from the mouth of an inlaid dolphin, engraved steel trigger guard and butt plate; bone tipped wooden ramrod retained against the barrel by an ornate steel pipe.