This fascinating rifle is signed "JA MAERCKL/A CARLSBAD" on the inside of the lock for Johan Adam Maerckl (surname also spelled in other variations such as Merckel) around 1690-1750. It was in the collection of the Grand Dukes of Saxe-Weimar at Schloss Ettersburg before being sold in 1927 (Lot 87, Plate IX, T.H. Fischer & E. Kahlert & Son, Luzern). In overall form, it is typical of the Germanic wheellock sporting rifles, but this rifle was built as a flintlock. It features a seven-groove rifled barrel with engraved muzzle, dovetailed silver blade front sight, dovetailed iron two-leaf rear sight with floral finial, waved line border engraving along the top flat, scene of a captive man and a lion near the breech, and another scene with a mounted man and lion. The bright iron tang is engraved with a classical figure in armor. The distinctive bronze lock features additional scenes of men on horseback battling lions, one being mauled by a lion. The forend cap, side nail plates, plates on the patchbox lid, cheekpiece edge plate, thumb rest, and buttplate are light horn, and the remaining mounts are brass with floral engraving and a mask on the trigger guard bow. The rifle is equipped with double set triggers. The stock features some carved scroll accents and nice molding. Provenance: The Gewehrkammer of the Grand Dukes of Saxe-Weimar at Schloss Ettersburg; The Norman R. Blank Collection

Fine with crisp engraving, attractive aged patina on the bronze, reinforcement on the lock plate, cracked tumbler stirrup, small repair at the trigger guard finial, and general minor overall wear. The stock is also fine and has some cracks and a splice repair at the middle ramrod pipe, crisp carving, and minor scratches and dings. Mechanically fine. Overall, a very attractive and distinctive flintlock rifle in rare wheellock form with bronze lock and barrel formerly from the famous collection of the Grand Dukes of Saxe-Weimar at Schloss Ettersburg.