El Libertador. The George Washington of Latin America. No matter what title you choose, the impact that Simón Bolívar had on South America is without precedent.

Born into great wealth in what is now Venezuela, he studied in Europe as Napoleon was conquering the continent. The education was formative, and before Bolívar returned to his homeland, he had vowed to free it from Spanish rule.

His zeal for independence not only liberated his homeland, but also Panama, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, and the country that today bears his name, Bolivia. His birthday is a national holiday in two of those countries and his writings and treatises are still studied to this day.

Bolívar’s power, intelligence, passion and charisma drew others to him and earned him international attention, perhaps most appropriately from fellow revolutionary the Marquis de Lafayette. It was Lafayette’s admiration for his Latin American counterpart that inspired him to send Bolívar two wonderful presentation firearms: a set of pistols and this extraordinary flintlock sporting arm.

Lafayette’s gift passed the torch between generations and hemispheres, and the lavish long gun is befitting such significance. Gold and engraving tastefully highlight the firearm, while numerous silver furniture pieces provide bright contrasts with each depicting scenes from Greek mythology’s Calydonian Boar Hunt.

Presented from one revolutionary to another, it is believed to be the final Bolívar firearm in private hands. Part of the renowned Norman R. Blank Collection since 1962, the August 15-17 Premier Firearms Auction at Rock Island Auction Company will mark the first time the gun will be publicly offered.

Bolívar’s undimmed fire shaped governments, drew borders, decided battles, snatched victories, and led a revolution that spanned almost half a continent. His fight for independence seared his legend into the history books and onto the map of South America.