BY KLEINSCHMIDT A COBLENZ (SIC), NO. 46, CIRCA 1750
Details
A German 38-Bore Flintlock Air Rifle
By Kleinschmidt A Coblenz (sic), No. 46, circa 1750
With swamped octagonal sighted barrel (back-sight replaced) rifled with seven grooves and engraved with a bird and foliage at the breech, engraved tang, signed flat bevelled lock engraved with a stag on the tail (cock replaced using the original top jaw and screw), sparsely carved figured walnut full stock (minor damage), hollow butt enclosing the reservoir, cheek-piece, brass mounts comprising pierced side-plate engraved with a stag beset by hounds, butt-plate with hinged cover (an old replacememt) opening to allow access for the pump and engraved with a crest (?), a recumbent dog, and spur trigger-guard engraved with a portrait bust, set trigger, faceted brass ramrod-pipes, horn fore-end cap, and horn-tipped ramrod
27in. (68.6cm.) barrel
This appears to be the only gun known by this maker
Coblenz was a centre of air gun production in the 18th century. A similar gun by C. Durel of Koblenz from the W. Keith Neal collection was sold in Christie's, 8 November 1995, Lot 113
By Kleinschmidt A Coblenz (sic), No. 46, circa 1750
With swamped octagonal sighted barrel (back-sight replaced) rifled with seven grooves and engraved with a bird and foliage at the breech, engraved tang, signed flat bevelled lock engraved with a stag on the tail (cock replaced using the original top jaw and screw), sparsely carved figured walnut full stock (minor damage), hollow butt enclosing the reservoir, cheek-piece, brass mounts comprising pierced side-plate engraved with a stag beset by hounds, butt-plate with hinged cover (an old replacememt) opening to allow access for the pump and engraved with a crest (?), a recumbent dog, and spur trigger-guard engraved with a portrait bust, set trigger, faceted brass ramrod-pipes, horn fore-end cap, and horn-tipped ramrod
27in. (68.6cm.) barrel
This appears to be the only gun known by this maker
Coblenz was a centre of air gun production in the 18th century. A similar gun by C. Durel of Koblenz from the W. Keith Neal collection was sold in Christie's, 8 November 1995, Lot 113
Provenance
Frank S. Furniss, N.S.W., Australia
Literature
Arne Hoff, Airguns And Other Pneumatic Arms, p. 53