Lot 7102
A deluxe flintlock rifle from a royal armoury, Ansbach, circa 1730
Fine Antique and Modern Firearms | A102s | Live auction | 94 Lots
Description
The octagonal barrel slightly constricted in the middle, in wild Damascus. Seven-groove rifled bore in 14.5 mm calibre. Dovetailed sights with folding rear sight. Silver-inlaid decorative tendrils at the breech. Finely engraved flintlock, the lock plate with a depiction of a putti beating a drum. The frizzen spring support with chiselled, openwork embellishment, a chiselled grotesque mask with a gold-inlaid eye on the base of the frizzen. The signature "...ANN À ANSBACH" partially concealed. Set trigger. German stock in beautifully grained maple wood (?), the nose, ramrod ferrules, butt plate and other inlays in dark horn. Lavish silver wire inlays interspersed with floral ornaments (minor defects on the lower root of the butt). An unidentified coat of arms with prince's crown on the cheek piece. The sliding lid of the patch box with a spring catch. Finely engraved and chiselled trigger guard with a depiction of Diana, goddess of the hunt. Wooden ramrod with horn tip. Length 94 cm. This magnificent weapon was probably commissioned for a royal patron from a member of the Haman gunsmith family working in Dresden and Ansbach.Condition: II + Questions about the lot?
