Mattheus Muck was active around 1716-1740 in Brno (Brunn) in (Moravia then part Kingdom of Bohemia within the Holy Roman Empire) and is believed to be the father of gunmaker Franz Muck who was active around 1731-1760. The rifle is signed "M MVCK/A BRUN" vertically behind the cock and what appears to be the maker's first name ("EUS" is faintly visible) at the breech followed by a bee hallmark and then "MVCK." The frizzen has a very interesting design: the battery face rotates counterclockwise to prevent an accidental discharge while the lower portion remains in place over the pan to keep the priming powder secure and dry. The barrel tappers from 1.11 inches at the breech to .95 inch for most of the main section and flares to 1.06 inches at the muzzle. It has a brass blade front sight and a notch and folding leaf rear sight with floral scroll finial. The iron furniture mostly has fine Germanic style scroll engraving, and the lock also has a scene of a dog running down a deer at the center and a running boar at the tail. The stock has floral scroll carving at the breech and around the cheek rest and has nicely shaped side flats and a swell at the the ramrod entry pipe. The forend tip is horn. Sling swivels are mounted on the forend and behind the trigger guard which also has a sling eye. Per the consignor, a matching rifle is housed at the Philadelphia Art Institute.

Fine overall with a dark patina along the barrel and strong traces of period applied blue, partially worn barrel marking as noted above, aged patina on the brass hallmark, a brighter gray patina on the remaining components, some minor oxidization and pitting, and general handling and storage marks. The stock has nicely executed spliced repairs at the tail of the lock, on the left flat, and forend; numerous small dings, a replacement patch box lid with chips and slivers absent at the front, cracking in the forend cap and forend on the right, and crisp carving. Mechanically fine.