Lot 7483
Captain Walter Forstmann - two Oriental flintlock firearms with silver mountings, a gift from the Senussi/Sanusiya
Orders and Military Collectibles until 1918 | A109m | Live auction | 1502 Lots
Description
Flintlock rifle with long, round barrel, smooth bore in 15 mm calibre. Indistinctly marked above the chamber, the top of the barrel decorated with extensive silver inlays. Florally engraved lock plate, flintlock defective. Half-stock with silver furniture and iron sling loop on the side opposite the lock, butt cap missing. Fore-end with chips. Barrel bands, two of leather and three of silver. Ramrod missing, leather straps included. Length 163 cm. Flintlock rifle, the top of the barrel decorated with extensive silver inlays. Indistinctly marked in gold above the chamber and on the lock plate. Flintlock stiff. Full stock with silver furniture and silver fittings. Opposing sling loop of iron with silver ring. Wooden ramrod fixed. Length 54 cm. Both weapons with clear signs of use.Against the backdrop of World War I, the Senussi in northern Libya - along with other peoples and tribes - were encouraged to rise up against their colonial rulers. The German Empire supported the insurgents in their struggle (in this instance, against Italy) by supplying weapons. From November 1915 onwards, these deliveries were made regularly via submarine from Central Powers ports in the Mediterranean to the Libyan coast, notably by "U-39" under the command of Walter Forstmann.Condition: III + Questions about the lot?
