This 17th century wheellock sporting rifle is of the distinctive "Tschinke" style associated with the town of Teschen in Upper Silesia. It features a six-groove rifled swamped barrel of approximately 120 bore with a brass blade front sight and brass three-leaf rear sight along with panels of brass inlays with floral and entwining line engraving along with "IW" maker's mark inscribed at the breech. The distinctively shaped lock with external mechanism with brass fences is engraved throughout with floral scrollwork. The brass plates on the dog also feature bird motifs. The full-length fruitwood stock features a narrow sliding patchbox cover and is profusely decorated with applied engraved brass panels, inlaid with mother-of-pearl roundels, leaves, diamonds, and dots, some of which are engraved. The cheekpiece includes a larger roundel engraved with a double-headed eagle. The iron trigger guard is shaped to the fingers, and an iron front sling mount is present. With slender bone-tipped wooden ramrod. Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection

Very fine with mostly bright barrel, attractive aged patina on the brass accents, light gray patina and slight oxidation on the lock plate and trigger guard, crisp engraving and designs, and minor overall wear. The stock is also very fine and has crisp designs, minor cracks and repairs (including a few likely replaced inlays), and generally minor overall wear. Lock not tested. This is certainly a stunning example of the rare and distinctive Tschinke design.