Lot Essay
The signature on the lock is probably that of Christoph Hofman, working in Berlin circa 1720-40
Details
AN UNUSUAL 28-BORE GERMAN FLINTLOCK SPORTING RIFLE
THE LOCK SIGNED C. HOFMAN, CIRCA 1740
With swamped octagonal sighted barrel cut with nine grooves and with matt finish throughout achieved by a fine circular punch, at the breech an oval panel chiselled in low relief with a coat-of-arms, a fess dancety couped surmounted by a coronet and with griffin supporters, tang with traces of engraving, signed bevelled lock chiselled with scenes of the chase in low relief (steel a working replacement), moulded full stock carved on the butt with rococo scrollwork, cheek-piece, later patch-box cover, iron mounts, including the ramrod-pipes, with matt finish en suite with the barrel and chiselled with rococo ornament in relief, the butt-plate with the figure of Diana, pierced side-plate, natural staghorn fore-end cap, and later ramrod (fore-end cracked and repaired, front sling mount missing, iron parts with some pitting)
30½in. (77.5cm.) barrel
THE LOCK SIGNED C. HOFMAN, CIRCA 1740
With swamped octagonal sighted barrel cut with nine grooves and with matt finish throughout achieved by a fine circular punch, at the breech an oval panel chiselled in low relief with a coat-of-arms, a fess dancety couped surmounted by a coronet and with griffin supporters, tang with traces of engraving, signed bevelled lock chiselled with scenes of the chase in low relief (steel a working replacement), moulded full stock carved on the butt with rococo scrollwork, cheek-piece, later patch-box cover, iron mounts, including the ramrod-pipes, with matt finish en suite with the barrel and chiselled with rococo ornament in relief, the butt-plate with the figure of Diana, pierced side-plate, natural staghorn fore-end cap, and later ramrod (fore-end cracked and repaired, front sling mount missing, iron parts with some pitting)
30½in. (77.5cm.) barrel