Blued heavy octagonal barrel with recessed muzzle inlaid with two gold bands, gold-inlaid chiseled shell motifs, dovetailed front sight, and gold-inlaid arabesque scrollwork, a centrally positioned chiseled panel of arabesque scrollwork against a gilt ground, key-adjustable gold-inlaid dovetailed rear sight positioned surmounted by gold-inlaid scrollwork, signed "B.A. JIRKU JUNIOR" in gold surrounded by elaborate gold-inlaid scrollwork above the legend "ENGL: GUSS=STAHL", and supported by chiseled gold-inlaid panels of scrollwork bordered by double gold-inlaid bands. The bright hooked breech chiseled with panels of scrollwork against a gilt ground and the number "10". Long shaped tang chiseled and gilt en suite, bearing the gilt monogram "ES" and with mounting block for an aperture peep-sight with pierced retaining screw. The underside of the tang is signed and dated by the engraver "K.J. TASCHKE GRAVEUR, 1852". Elaborately shaped flat side lock and hammer chiseled and gilt en suite with the breech and tang, signed "IN REICHENBERG" and with scroll engraved bridle to the interior. Well-figured 12 inch ebony full stock of heavy target configuration inlaid with antique ivory, mother-of-pearl and white staghorn ornament, the antique ivory carved in high relief with scrollwork and the Classical figures of Hercules bearing a shield depicting the Nemean lion and Diana seated beneath a tree with a hunting dog respectively on the right and left sides of the butt, some of the ivory ornament with mother-of pearl details. The remainder of the stock inlaid with white staghorn and mother-of pearl panels, scrolls, borderlines and flowerheads. Silver-gilt mounts cast and chased in low relief with panels of scrollwork en suite with breech, tang and lock comprising trigger plate with chiseled and gilt double set triggers, scrolled trigger guard shaped for the fingers, ramrod pipes and hooked butt plate engraved with a panel of scrollwork and a relief panel depicting the seated figure of the god Mercury. Rectangular chamfered rear sling stud and faceted front sling mount, and half-length ebony ramrod inlaid en suite with the stock. Bernard A. Jirku is recorded as working between 1850 and 1870 in Der Neue Stockel. It has been suggested that "ENGL: GUSS=STAHL" stands for Englische Guss Stahl or English Cast Steel. The monogram "ES" on breach tang may be an abbreviation for the same. Given the dating of the rifle to 1852 and the elaborate execution and Classical themes of the ornament there is no doubt this rifle was intended for display at a major exhibition.

Fine overall. Barrels retain nearly all of their exhibition style blue finish. Barrel channel shows some cracking and some repairs though structurally sound. Barrel retaining wedges loose. Some screws worn, forward lock-retaining screw replaced. Barrel retains much blue finish overall. Some wear to gilding on the edges and high points of the silver-gilt mounts. Chiseling remains in crisp condition, gilding with only slight signs of age related wear. Some age related wear to the high points of the ornamentation. Provenance: Sotheby’s, London, 15 February 1977, lot 149; Robert M. Lee Collection, acquired in 1994.