AN UNUSUAL GERMAN BREECH-LOADING WHEEL-LOCK SPORTING RIFLE

CIRCA 1680

Details

AN UNUSUAL GERMAN BREECH-LOADING WHEEL-LOCK SPORTING RIFLE
CIRCA 1680
With octagonal sighted barrel with slotted screw-plug at the breech, tang with folding aperture rear-sight, flat lock with pierced integral wheel-cover and sliding pan-cover, figured walnut full stock carved in relief with scrollwork, brass mounts including pierced serpentine side-plate, carved raised cheek-piece, sliding patchbox-cover on the underside of the butt, set triggers, and later horn fore-end cap and horn-tipped ramrod
31 ¼ in. (79.4 cm.) barrel
With indistinct inscription and unicorn mark of Schwäbisch Gm?nd (similar to Der Neue Støckel 1629) at the breech

Provenance

The Barons Leigh, Stoneleigh Abbey, Warwickshire
W. Keith Neal Collection, Christie's, King Street, 25 October 2001, Lot 145

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Lot Essay

This form of breech-loading by screw-plug is more often associated with English flintlock firearms. It is likely that the conversion to breech-loader was carried out in this country, possibly by a member of the Paris family of Warwickshire gunsmiths who are known to have worked for the Barons of Stoneleigh

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