The swamped octagonal barrel has dovetailed blade and notch sights, a sighting groove at the breech, "*1*6*[sunken "HH" and arm with sword maker's mark]*7*7*" on top ahead of the rear sight, "Johannes Heller" on the upper left flat towards the breech, and bands at the breech. Per p. 515 of "Der Neue Stockel," Johannes Heller was working c. 1660-1685, possibly at Schloss Ettersburg given the number of his guns in the collection there. The flat lock has the same markings ss the top of the barrel, a brass wheel cover with floral engraving, and additional brass acorn and mask details as well as an engraved mask design on the jaws. The rifle is equipped with adjustable double set triggers, and the mounts are iron. The stock has fine molding and fluting, scroll carved accents, ornate inlaid wire and pin work concentrated on the left stock flat around the floral shaped side nail plates, and carved scallop designs at the edge of the butt and on the carved wooden patchbox lid. The wooden ramrod has an iron tip that coordinates with the forend cap and ramrod ferrules. The rifle is accompanied by an Academic Arms Center of America certificate of authenticity filled out for Norman Blank and an "Grossherzogliches Hausinventar" record for the rifle. Provenance: Jagdschloss Kranichstein; Hans Schedelmann; W. Keith Neal; The Norman R. Blank Collection

Good with gray patina, minor oxidation and pitting, aged patina on the brass, and generally mild overall wear, including some scratches, faint cracks, and small worm holes in the stock. The lock has not been tested. The set triggers function fine.