This rifle is pictured and discussed on pages 44-45 of "Catalogue of Highly Important Firearms from the Collection of the Late William Goodwin Renwick (European, Part V)". The slightly swamped octagonal barrel is marked "Georg Grosser" at the breech and has a simple brass front sight and finely filed rear sight. The breech tang is marked "1." The rifling has seven groves and lands. The flat lock plate has gilt engraved borders surrounding the surface and is entirely decorated in a profuse network of silver inlaid scrolls inhabited by a hunting dog chasing a large stag. It has a gilt bridle. The top jaw has a hunter and his gun, and the lower jaw has another hunter and his wheellock rifle. The lock is fitted to the stock with two gilt screws. The trigger guard is embellished en suite to the lock plate. The fruitwood stock has exuberant and elaborate bone and mother-of-pearl inlays with over twenty bones plaques depicting rabbits, winged figures, musicians (playing lutes, violins, flutes and bagpipes), Joseph and the Virgin Mary with baby Jesus, and numerous mother-of-pearl inlays throughout. The patch box cover has a winged angel playing a violin and the portrait bust of woman on bone plaque (presumably depicting the Virgin Mary in 17th century costume). The bone buttplate depicts a whimsical illustration of a hare playing bagpipes (a not uncommon theme in medieval times, see Breviary of Renaud, Marguerite de Bar, Metz, 1302-1305. Provenance: The William Goodwin Renwick Collection. William G. Renwick (1886 – 1971) Sotheby’s London, Catalogue of High Important Firearms from the collection of the late William Goodwin Renwick, Part V, November 12, 1973, lot 57 (illustrated) Peter Tillou, from whom acquired by Consignor in 1996 Exhibition: The Loan Exhibition of European Arms and Armor, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, August 3 – September 27, 1931, catalogue No. 263

Very fine overall, some bone inlays beginning to become proud of surrounding surfaces, the bone buttplate somewhat warped and in need of some conservation, some small losses at ball-rest, expected light brown toning to metal surfaces throughout. Provenance: Robert M. Lee Collection.