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A GERMANIC MASTERPIECE, FINE DOUBLE PERCUSSION

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,500.00 USD Estimated At:7,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
A GERMANIC MASTERPIECE, FINE DOUBLE PERCUSSION

SHOTGUN WITH SUPERB RELIEF ENGRAVING AND CARVING WITH CASE AND ACCESSORIES INCLUDING BEAUTIFULLY CARVED AND INLAID ANTLER POWDER FLASK. Cal. 16 bore. NSN. In the gun trade, in order for an apprentice to become a master, he had to produce a gun exhibiting his talents. Often these guns are completely unmarked, as is the case with this spectacular gun. It has 32" etched fine Damascus barrels filed with ten full length narrow ribs producing a dramatic affect. Matching top sighting rib is gold inlaid with well defined scrolls and borders surrounding an unmarked area where one would normally find a maker's name. Bottom of right barrel has indecipherable marks. No proofs or other numbers are found. Patent breeches are beautifully filed and inlaid with multi gold bands. Breech iron with long intricately shaped top tang is engraved with semi relief shaded small acanthus which looks like sea moss which surround a magnificent full relief scene of auerhahn on branch of large pine tree. Front spring island locks with rebated tails are fitted with flat faced serpentine hammers. Hammer heads are relief engraved in the form of snarling wolves with bared teeth. The greater part of locks and hammers are engraved with scroll matching top tang. There are also superb game scenes in front of hammers; with a pair of foxes around their den on left lock and a running roebuck and hind on right. Other iron mounts include buttplate, trigger plate and thimble which are engraved with matching scrolls. Very fancy scroll filed trigger guard with spur has full relief scene of standing hare on bow. Stock made of finely figured and marbled European walnut has relief carving of scrolls and acanthus in place of checkering at grip. More scroll is behind a relief carved scene of a rabbit scratching its ear on right side of butt. On left side of butt, behind cheekpiece, there is a fine relief carved scene of two stags and a hind running through open woodland. Stock attaches to barrel with captive sidebolt through fancy filed and engraved steel escutcheons. A hickory ramrod with brass tip and worm tail mounts through two ribbed pipes and well filed thimble in the shape of a baboons head with gold eyes. MEASUREMENTS: STOCK: DAH: 2 5/16". DAC: 1 7/16". CAST: neutral. LOP: 14". WEIGHT: 6 lb. 8 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: oak case with some brass trim having dual hook and key closure is lined in green cloth. Case contains a cane loading rod with horn head and brass tail, brass powder measure, ebony handled nipple wrench, BGI powder measure, ebony handled turn screw and brass dog whistle. There are two covered compartments; one holds and exquisitly carved and bone inlaid powder flask made from antler which has silver mounts in the form of oak leaves. Back side has small relief carving of bone inlaid relief carved dog watching a departing duck. Front is carved with a finely detailed hunting scene of hunter petting dogs while looking at the quarry he has taken that day. A large stag lays in front of him while a rabbit is at his left foot. Well detailed background shows large tree with bone inlaid squirrel on branch while his mate emerges from a hole in the tree trunk. Carved antler top screws over bone spout with pricker on knob. CONDITION: very good to fine. Metal parts show light cleaning to overall silver gray. All engraving remains clear and there is no noted pitting. Stock shows light oil refinish with a fair number of minor marks overall. Bores are shiny, lightly frosted. Locks are crisp. Exterior of case is good with oil refinish. Interior cloth is also good considerably marked in lid from contact with barrels. Partitions are good, accessories are good. Powder flask is very fine without any losses or problems. (01-21996/MGM). ANTIQUE. $7,000-10,000.