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Exceptional & Ornate Engraved, Gold-Washed & Inlaid Buchel Original Meister Schuetzen Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:11,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Exceptional & Ornate Engraved, Gold-Washed & Inlaid Buchel Original Meister Schuetzen Rifle
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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2024 Nov 23 @ 09:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
8.15x46R, 32'' ribbed octagon Bohler-blitz-stahl barrel with a bright excellent bore. This is a wonderful schuetzen rifle embellished with stunning relief scenes, gold wash, leaf and wire inlays and other lovely embellishments. The right side of the action depicts the famous scene of the spiritual conversion of Hubertus rendered in lovely detail showing Hubertus with sword and crossbow along with his steed beholding the mighty stag with crucifix between its horns who instructed him to seek out the bishop Lambert and essentially pursue a holy life. St. Hubertus is perhaps most famously the patron saint of hunters and often features prominently on Germanic arms, but very rarely in such a unique and stunning scene as this. The left side features an equally lively and dramatic scene of the other figure you would expect to see, Diana the Huntress with her nymphs and a stag, likely at Lake Nemi. The stippled backgrounds of the scenes show nice gold wash applique and fine wire details, the balance of the action with relief oak leaves and acorns in classic German form. The barrel retains about 94% original blue showing some mild edge wear, a few light dings and some toning to mild gray-brown patina, the muzzle with acanthus engraving. The top flat is neatly matted and grooved at the rear showing steel markings along the shank while the underside bears the usual German proofs and May 1925 proof code. The inside of the frame and underside barrel also bear an assembly number ''64''. The unadorned surfaces of the action are mostly a pleasant smoky gray and silvery case-hardened patina with some areas of pale brown undertones. The top behind the breechblock shows ''ORIGINAL MEISTER'' roundel in silver around the initials ''AB'', the sides of the lever catch retain a healthy amount of brilliant fire blue and the horn lever panels are also very fine, the right side showing a bit of hairline crackling. The checkered walnut buttstock and schnabel forend with horn tip remain in very fine condition showing a bit of older added varnish showing a 2'' hairline crack along the right side of the wrist back from where it meets the action, a couple more minor cracks at upper tang and other scattered light dings. The stock features traditional generous ramshorn left-side cheekpiece and stippled thumb rest on the right side, the inside edge of the cheekpiece neatly carved with foliate motifs. The right side of the stock shows an excellent carved eagle and chamois scene and the stocks are further enhanced by fine gold wire bordering around the checkering and gold leaf background accenting around floral carvings. The schuetzen buttplate also appears to be gold-washed and there is an 1890-dated commemorative coin set into the right swirl of the rams horn comb celebrating the tenth Deutsches Bundesschiessen held in Berlin. The sling swivels are intact and the rifle is sighted with a fine complement of fire-blued sights including fully-adjustable rear with wide aperture disc that has ten selectable aperture sizes and protected bead on matted ramp front, the left protective ear bent down slightly. The action will require a little mechanical attention as the set trigger is functional and will trip but does not fire the system. This is of little consequence as the other merits of the arm are much more important! This beautiful rifle is a stunning piece of high art in firearms worthy of any advanced fine arms collection. (13G11778-35) {C&R} (15,000/25,000)