This magnificent relief engraved Schuetzen target rifle features a 30 inch round ridged blue barrel with a globe front sight mounted on a raised ramp and a sling swivel mounted on the underside. An American made replacement mid range tang peep sight (and front sight), double set triggers and a palm rest mounted just ahead of the action. 10 3/4" of the breech end of the barrel has a integral upper flat decorated with gold inlays. The forward end has a banner marked "I PREIS" and a man in Bavarian hunting garb, floral motifs and "C. / Stiegele / iun. In / Munchen" all in gold inlay. Directly behind the front sight ramp are gold inlaid floral designs. The casehardened receiver is engraved with floral patterns bordering a scene of a woman hunter (Diana) with a dog and buck in the water on the left side, two boys sitting in a forest scene with a number of dead game animals and birds lying at their feet and two hunters in the background, and a dog with a horn at his feet on the underside. Above the dog is gold inlaid flowers and the receiver screws have gold inlaid floral petals. The trigger guard/lever and tangs are engraved with floral leaf patterns with gold inlay in a portion of the engraving. The breech block pin head is engraved with a six petal flower. The stock and forearm are elaborately carved with scroll and floral patterns, a deer on the underside of the forearm, an eagle attacking a split hoofed, bobbed tail animal on the right side and a fox on the left side. The casehardened buttplate is engraved with floral patterns on the outer edges. The stock has a large cheek piece and sling swivel. The rifle is complete with a homemade wooden case.

Very fine. The barrel retains approximately 95% of the original blue finish with an area of minor flaking just ahead of the forearm. The action, trigger guard/lever retain approximately 50% of the original faded case colors (mostly on the action) with the balance having a smooth silver gray. The buttplate also retains approximately 50% of the original faded case colors with a dark gray patina on the balance. The hardware on the palm rest has been custom refinished and retains all of the finish. As noted above, the sights are non-standard period American replacements. Approximately 25% of the gold inlay remains on the barrel and almost all in other areas. The wood is excellent with only a few overall minor dings and handling marks and sharp carvings. The engraving remains clear and crisp. The case is good with end of the handle broken and some minor separation of the joints. Mechanically excellent.