Nineteenth Century, Austrian, under lever, breech loading, single shot rifle made by John. Springer with a sliver plaque commentating an Imperial presentation inlaid on the right side of the stock. The rifle has a round barrel with matted sighting rib and two-leaf express rear sight. Sling swivels are mounted on the underside of the barrel on stock. The barrel is blued and has a gold band inlaid around the breech. The maker's name: "JOH. SPRINGER IN WIEN" inlaid in gold on the sighting rib. "SPRINGER in WIEN" is engraved in a banner on the lock plate below the hammer. The rifle has a back-lock action with external firing pin, double triggers and trigger guard with two finger prominent spurs. The highly figured, European walnut stock and forearm have fine checkered panels. The stock has a shallow cheekpiece on left side. The casehardened lock plate, hammer, receiver and breech lever are decorated with intricate, relief carved, game scenes and floral decorations on stippled background. The breech lever is engraved an oval panel that depicts a chamois on a mountain background. The scroll work surrounding the panel is highlighted in gold and "Rudolf" is inlaid in gold script below the panel. An imperial crown above the monogram "FJ" is inlaid in gold on the upper receiver tang. The information provided by the consigner indicates that this rifle was a gift from Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I (1830-1916) to his son Crown Prince Rudolf (1858-1889). The Crown Prince subsequently presented the rifle to another Austrian nobleman; Franz von Nassau. The presentation to von Nassau is commemorated by a silver plaque inlaid on the right side of the rifle stock. The consigner states that this rifle was brought to the United States after WWII by a U.S. Army general.

Excellent. The rifle retains 90% plus of the original blue and casehardened finish. The sides of the barrel have some scattered, minor scratches and the blue finish is thin in some spots. The receiver, back lock, hammer and tang retain nearly all of the original color casehardened finish. The case colors on the trigger guard and buttplate have faded to a silver-gray patina. The intricate engraving remains sharp. The stock and forearm are both in very fine condition with scattered light handling marks. The checkering on the stock and forearm is sharp. This is an excellent example of a best quality 19th Century Austrian breech loading rifle with impressive engraving and association with the last Austro-Hungarian Emperor, Franz Joseph I.