2020 September Premier, Volume I

BOTH SIDES PICTURED
LOT 254
Ornate “1764” Dated, Relief Carved, and Panel
Scene Engraved Germanic Half Stock Percussion Conversion
Rifle - NSN, 40 cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/bright
finish, walnut stock. The fairly heavy Damascus barrel has circular designs on the
muzzle (probably relined), a globe front sight, notch rear sight, “F-G-K- An
1764” in silver inlay on top near
the breech, and a period rib with
two ramrod pipes below. The lock
is engraved with a pair of deer
and scrollwork. It has replacement
double set triggers. The brass furniture throughout has deep relief
floral scroll and game scene engraving. The stock appears to have been shortened
at the time of the conversion from full stock and is similarly extensively raised relief
carved with extensive Rococo scrollwork. The trigger guard has a hole for a sling swivel,
and the front swivel was likely originally in the forend before conversion.
CONDITION: Very good as period converted to percussion with strong Damascus patterns along the barrel, generally crisp engraving and carving, mix of gray and
brown patina on the barrel and lock, mild oxidation, two small holes filled on the top of the wrist on the otherwise very good stock, light scratches and marks, and
attractive figure. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3000 - 4500
BOTH SIDES PICTURED
LOT 255
Fine Silver Accented Percussion “Wender” Combination Rifle/Shotgun by J. Arnold of Altdorf with Relief Carved Stock - NSN, 54 cal., 27 inch octagon
bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The rifled barrel has a dovetailed blade front sight, notch rear sight with folding leaf and scroll finial, “1” and “Jo.
ARNOLD” in silver inlay at the breech, and a “crown/V” on-hand proof (indicating it was in a shop in the 1890s), and the smoothbore barrel has a dovetailed
blade front sight, “2” and “IN ALTDORF” in silver inlay at the breech, and another “crown/V” proof. A mounting point for an absent peep sight
is on the top of the wrist. The stock and forend panels have some incised scroll carving and molding, a detailed deer scene on the left side
behind the cheek rest, and scroll pattern silver plated brass furniture and accents. The trigger guard pulls back to free the barrel group for
rotating. “40” is stamped in the stock ahead of the sling stud.
CONDITION: Fine with 75% original silver plating, a mix of fading original blue finish and dark brown patina on the barrels, traces of original
case colors on the lock and plates below the bolsters, light spotting, and small marks and scratches. The wood is very good with some gaps at
the tail of the forend panels, chip on the lower left corner of the wrist, crisp carving, a few small insect holes, minor marks and scratches, and
some nice figure in the buttstock. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 4000 - 6000
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