Strong two-shot pinfire hunting rifle, approx. 18 mm caliber, once owned by Mr. François Chassaing (1821-1871), known as "Le tueur de lions" ("The Lion Killer"). Strong damascus rifled barrels signed on the band "Devisme 36 Boulevard des Italiens à Paris". With leaf frog, stamped on the underside "Fait par Devisme" and DV under crown, they are dated 1865 and numbered 2052. Rocker and back plates signed "Devisme" and the hammers chased with foliate scrolls. The rocker is numbered and dated on the barrel. Later decorated iron fittings. Partially checkered walnut stock with silver "Honneur, Patrie" medal. Overall length: 100 cm Circa 1870. A.B.E. (major repairs to a broken stock neck). With notarized attestation (1941) certifying that this rifle belonged to Mr. François CHASSAING "the lion killer", who had 32 lions and 37 panthers to his credit, that it was bought by Mr. Roy, gunsmith, from Mr. BATNA, auctioneer, and resold to Mr. François BOUTE, non-commissioned officer in the 3rd RSA. History: Chassaing is famous for his important lion and panther hunts in Africa, which he recounted in his 1865 book Mes Chasses au lion. Jules Verne mentions his hunts in his novel La Maison à vapeur, as does Alphonse Daudet in Tartarin de Tarascon.