Hans (Johann/Johannes) Stifter was a gunmaker for the court of the Elector of Saxony in the 1660s, and his shop was reportedly taken over by his son Johann Christoph Stifter in 1677, and the latter moved to Dresden c. 1700. Also see Lot 1279 for another Stifter rifle dated 1680. This rifle's swamped octagonal barrel is signed "HANS [sunken maker's mark] STIFTER" and dated "1671" on the breech section. The barrel also features nine-groove rifling, circles on the muzzle face, a dovetailed brass blade front sight, a dovetailed three-leaf notch rear sight, engraved bands at the breech, and a short tang. The flat lock plate features a foliate tail finial, elaborate foliate scroll carving, a pierced wheel cover featuring a pair of angels/putti, and a pierced and engraved dog with bestial and scroll motifs. The rifle is fired using adjustable single set triggers enclosed by an extended iron finger groove trigger guard. The stock features engraved stag-horn mounts, including a patchbox lid engraved with a lioness, another lioness scene on the cheekpiece, and foliate designs. An old "IV/43" inventory marking is marked at the toe and "4.43." below the dog spring. Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection

Very fine overall with mostly silver-gray patina on the metal along with some faint oxidation staining/pitting, crisp engraving and markings, distinct engraving on the mounts, excellent molding on the stock, and general mild overall wear, including some small cracks and chips in the wood. Lock not tested. Triggers mechanically fine.