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LADIES OR YOUTHS 3/4 SIZE SINGLE FLINTLOCK SHOTGUN

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
LADIES OR YOUTHS 3/4 SIZE SINGLE FLINTLOCK SHOTGUN

BY JOSIF FRUEWURTH OF VIENNA. Cal. 55. S# 6. Josif Fruewurth worked in Vienna from about 1722 until 1753 mostly for Prince Esterhazy of Castle Forchtenstein, patron of Joseph Haydn. It is during this period that this gun was made. Fruewurth worked until 1797. This small size gun has 37" barrel which is octagonal at breech and transforms through well engraved wedding band to round and then to slightly flared muzzle. Breech area is stamped with two gold poincon of Fruewurth's early style, consisting of his name in crowned cartouche and his initials flanking a fighting cock in circular cartouche. Nine fleur de lis flank these stamps. Barrel tang is engraved with "6" surrounded by scrolls. Lock with slightly arched moulded plate is fitted with serpentine cock, inset faceted pan, unbridled friction frizzen and file decorated feather spring with foliate finial. The number "6" is engraved on bottom of frizzen where it intersect pan. Lock is engraved with scrolls and "Ios:Fruewurth" "in Wienn". Stock of lightly figured European walnut has carved wooden trigger guard with brass reinforcement. Stock also features molded right hand cheekpiece and raised carved tendrils of scroll as accent to barrel tang, comb and cheekpiece. Flat toeline mounted with sling button is flanked by carved flutes. Brass mounts include heavy scroll engraved buttplate with 5 1/2" fancy top tang, well shaped one piece sideplate and crowned crest plate at top of grip engraved "M.A". Stock attaches to barrel with screw through forend and slipped on fancy brass band. Forend tip is also brass. Wooden ramrod with rosewood tip mounts through one octagonal pipe on barrel with matching pipe and thimble on stock. CONDITION: fine to very fine. Barrel retaining a fair amount of what appears to be its original blue finish. Areas that show some cleaning to silver are smooth at breech and have some staining on round portion of barrel. Lock appears to have been originally bright polished and retains a good amount of that finish considerably darkened with old oil. Stock retains most of its oil finish and shows some checks and a few minor losses along barrel channel and rear of lockplate. Brass is nicely toned. Bore is bright with straight "hair" striations. Lock is fine. Frizzen shows few flint strikes. A fine early gun. (01-23000/MGM). ANTIQUE. $4,000-6,000.