Lot Essay
Each piece is fitted with a crowned gilt-brass escutcheon bearing an unidentified coat-of-arms between supporters, with a mask and crossed cannons beneath
Details
A FINE BOHEMIAN GARNITURE OF FLINTLOCK FIREARMS COMPRISING A PAIR OF HOLSTER PISTOLS, A FOWLING-PIECE, AND A SPORTING RIFLE, CARLSBAD, CIRCA 1730
The pistols with reblued two-stage sighted barrels each with applied gilt-brass plaque at the breech pierced and chased with scrollwork and the figure of Diana with two hounds, the tangs overlaid with gilt-brass engraved with scrollwork and a grotesque mask and with integral gilt-brass back-sights, flat bevelled locks each chiselled with a stag-hunt in relief on the plate and cock, with a hound and a hunting horn on the top jaw, and with foliage on the steel, moulded figured walnut full stocks carved with strapwork (some cracks, chips and repairs), gilt-brass mounts cast and chased in low relief with strapwork, foliage, grotesque masks, classical profile busts, and mounted warriors, all on a punched ground, the trigger-guards with the figure of Mars, the flat side-plates with bound prisoners and a military encampment, the spurred pommels each with grotesque mask cap, faceted ramrod-pipes, and original ramrods with engraved gilt-brass tips
The fowling-piece with blued two-stage sighted barrel en suite with the pistols, bevelled lock with a stag-hunting scene differing from that on the pistols, and with scrollwork on the top jaw, moulded carved figured walnut half-stock, gilt-brass mounts cast and chased in low relief with strapwork, scrolls, masks, and foliage, all on a punched ground, the trigger-guard with the figure of Minerva, the flat side-plate with a stag-hunt within a landscape, and the butt-plate with sportsmen and hounds and engraved spring-loaded lid to the cavity for the punched and gilt socket bayonet, engraved faceted ramrod-pipes, and original ramrod with engraved gilt-brass tip
The sporting rifle with blued two-stage sighted barrel rifled with seven grooves, also with applied plaque at the breech, and folding gilt-brass back-sight, the finial in the form of a crowned standing armoured figure holding a shield and a banner, bevelled lock with a stag-hunting scene differing from that on the pistols and the fowling-piece, later moulded carved figured walnut full stock, gilt-brass mounts en suite with the fowling-piece, the fore-end cap and patch-box cover each with a stag-hunting scene in relief, set trigger, and original ramrod with engraved gilt-brass tip
20¼in., 41¼in. and 28½in. barrels [E.355, S.27,28,29] (5)
The pistols with reblued two-stage sighted barrels each with applied gilt-brass plaque at the breech pierced and chased with scrollwork and the figure of Diana with two hounds, the tangs overlaid with gilt-brass engraved with scrollwork and a grotesque mask and with integral gilt-brass back-sights, flat bevelled locks each chiselled with a stag-hunt in relief on the plate and cock, with a hound and a hunting horn on the top jaw, and with foliage on the steel, moulded figured walnut full stocks carved with strapwork (some cracks, chips and repairs), gilt-brass mounts cast and chased in low relief with strapwork, foliage, grotesque masks, classical profile busts, and mounted warriors, all on a punched ground, the trigger-guards with the figure of Mars, the flat side-plates with bound prisoners and a military encampment, the spurred pommels each with grotesque mask cap, faceted ramrod-pipes, and original ramrods with engraved gilt-brass tips
The fowling-piece with blued two-stage sighted barrel en suite with the pistols, bevelled lock with a stag-hunting scene differing from that on the pistols, and with scrollwork on the top jaw, moulded carved figured walnut half-stock, gilt-brass mounts cast and chased in low relief with strapwork, scrolls, masks, and foliage, all on a punched ground, the trigger-guard with the figure of Minerva, the flat side-plate with a stag-hunt within a landscape, and the butt-plate with sportsmen and hounds and engraved spring-loaded lid to the cavity for the punched and gilt socket bayonet, engraved faceted ramrod-pipes, and original ramrod with engraved gilt-brass tip
The sporting rifle with blued two-stage sighted barrel rifled with seven grooves, also with applied plaque at the breech, and folding gilt-brass back-sight, the finial in the form of a crowned standing armoured figure holding a shield and a banner, bevelled lock with a stag-hunting scene differing from that on the pistols and the fowling-piece, later moulded carved figured walnut full stock, gilt-brass mounts en suite with the fowling-piece, the fore-end cap and patch-box cover each with a stag-hunting scene in relief, set trigger, and original ramrod with engraved gilt-brass tip
20¼in., 41¼in. and 28½in. barrels [E.355, S.27,28,29] (5)
Literature
Ehrenthal, plate VI