Rare Loron "Hammerless" rifle, two-shot, approx. 16 mm caliber. Table-top damascus barrels. Rear plates signed "FONTAINE & LORON Btés à VERSAILLES" and toggle engraved with rocaille, dog and game motifs. Tailstock with cocking indicators. Opening trigger guard decorated en suite. Marbled walnut stock. (Internal pitting, front of toggle previously changed). Length : 116 cm A.B.E. Patent of 1847. Category D. Pierre Antoine LORON : Gunsmith in Versailles (Yvelines) in 1843. French patents on January 4, 1847 for the "LORON rifle" (first hammerless) and in 1850 for a salon pistol. Exhibition in Paris in 1844 (MH), 1849 (MH) and 1855 (MA). Originally from Cheratte (Liège), where he returned to live around 1856, he took out 11 Belgian patents between 1855 and 1880. Father of Calixte-Henri LORON. Bibliography : Jarlier-Buigné, Le qui est qui de l'arme en France, Éditions du Portail, 2001