antique arms, armour & militaria - Thomas Del Mar Ltd

537
AN AUSTRIAN WHEEL-LOCK SPORTING GUN, CIRCA
1720
with associated smooth-bored two-stage sighted barrel
with bayonet fitting, finely engraved lock fitted with
internal wheel, sliding pan-cover, flash-guard and dog,
decorated over its surface with a landscape enclosed by
scrollwork, inhabited by Diana and Acteon, a pair of cupid
figures tethering a stag, and a stag being shot by a pair of
hunters in a boat in the background, the dog decorated
with an allegorical figure, double set trigger (incomplete),
figured walnut full stock carved with scrolls in relief about
the barrel tang and the rear ramrod-pipe, the butt with
raised cheek-piece inlaid with engraved brass plaques on
the left, and patchbox with sliding cover inlaid with brass
engraved en suite with the lock on the right, brass
mounts including pierced engraved side-plate, shaped
trigger-guard engraved with scrollwork enclosing a
reclining female figure, three faceted ramrod-pipes, and
engraved butt-plate (late ramrod)
‡ £2000-3000
230
537
538
538
A 54 BORE GERMAN WHEEL-LOCK SPORTING GUN,
SIGNED BY THE STOCKMAKER GM, DATED 1662
with swamped octagonal barrel fitted with standing backsight
and stamped with a mark over the breech (rubbed,
fore-sight missing), flat lock fitted with wheel with raised
brass cover engraved with flowers and a bird-of-prey,
sliding pan-cover with later button release, flash-guard,
pierced engraved dog fitted with a chased gilt-bronze
mask on the bridle, double set trigger, figured hardwood
full stock moulded over the fore-end, inlaid with engraved
staghorn plaques including the date and the stockmaker’s
initials ‘G. M.’ ahead of a fruit, a woodland scene
involving an owl and two birds-of-prey on the cheekpiece,
the right-hand side of the butt with patchbox,
engraved above with an incised panel of scrolling foliage
and fruit, and sliding cover engraved en suite with the
cheek-piece, horn butt-cap, engraved staghorn ramrodpipe,
engraved staghorn fore-end cap, steel sling swivel,
and horn-tipped wooden ramrod, perhaps the original
(one sling swivel and the trigger-guard missing)
90.6cm; 35Nin barrel
‡ £1500-2000