I believe they are talking about the 1900 Olympics held in Paris. There was also a Grand Prix race that year. A live pigeon shoot was one of the events. International Clay Pigeon was also introduced that year. Though they could well have been a shooting event attached to the Grand Prix. Eley marketed a line of shotgun shells as the Grand Prix during this period.

It was not uncommon for gun makers to continuously thump their chest after winning an international competition. This often went on for decades. They either won a shoot or were given a prize.

I believe Geno is correct, this was most likely built as a pigeon gun. Which would have been near the top of the market at that time in competition guns. The firm simply did not survive the depression.

Pete