Lot Essay
Dax, originally from Anspach, Bavaria, became Master in Munich in 1714. The signature on the locks confirms that the engraving on these rifles was also by his hand. He died in 1743
Details
A FINE PAIR OF GERMAN WHEEL-LOCK SPORTING RIFLES with sighted barrels each rifled with seven grooves (back-sights missing), engraved with strapwork and a stag at the breech, and stamped with maker's mark (Neue Støckel 223), engraved tangs numbered '1' and '2', signed enclosed flat locks finely engraved with a foxhunting scene within a landscape with mounted sportsmen in contemporary costume, the cock with a further mounted sportsman, and the bridle to the cock-spring with two rabbits, figured walnut full stocks each with fluted fore-end (each damaged), the butts (chipped) inlaid with white horn tendrils and dots enclosing dark horn and mother-of-pearl plaques (some missing, some replaced), set triggers, engraved iron trigger-guards each with a female portrait bust on the bow, horn butt-plates and fore-end caps, horn ramrod-pipes (three missing), and original horn-tipped wooden ramrods, the patch-box covers of walnut, white and dark horn (one incomplete), by Johan Georg Dax, Munich, circa 1720-30
32 7/8in. barrels [E.211,212, S.4,13] (2)
32 7/8in. barrels [E.211,212, S.4,13] (2)