The maker's have kindly confirmed that this rifle was made for the Crown Prince Rudolph, heir apparent to the throne of Austria-Hungary, in circa 1888. Rudolph tragically died in a suicide pact with his mistress, Baroness Mary Vetsera, at the Mayerling hunting lodge in January 1889. The browned damascus barrels are respectively signed "JOH. SPRINGER'S ERBEN IN WIEN" and "K.K. KAMMER GEWEHR LIEFERANTEN" on the tubes towards the breech and have a raised flat matte rib bearing a bead front sight and blued fixed rear sight. Casehardened action with rotary underlever chiseled in low relief with the crowned monogram of Crown Prince Rudolph between the carved percussion fences and respectively signed on the sides of the action "JOH. SPRINGER'S ERBEN IN WIEN" and "K.K. KAMMER GEWEHR LIEFERANTEN". Casehardened back-action rebounding side locks each signed "JOH. SPRINGER'S ERBEN WIEN" and casehardened trigger plate fitted with a set trigger for each lock. Casehardened trigger guard engraved "No. 7556" and with pierced scrolled dark horn finger rest behind. Well figured 13 1/2 inch stock with raised cheekpiece, checkered butt, grip and fore-arm. The butt is fitted with heel and toe plates, the first with hinged trap cover, the small trap beneath containing three spare striker pins. Two iron sling mounts and fine border and scroll engraving throughout. Weight 7 lbs. 9 oz. Provenance: Property of a German Prince, the great, great grandchild of Emperor Franz Josef I, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary.

Very fine. The barrels retaining much original browned finish with some storage and handling wear and some small scattered patches of dark surface corrosion marking. The action and locks retains some original faded casehardened finish. The engraving remains crisp and sharp throughout. There is a small patch of surface discoloration to the heel plate, appears to be the remains of something that stuck to the plate and would probably remove with careful cleaning. There are some nicks, mostly very minor, to the edges of the horn finger rest. The stock has scattered storage and handling bruises and marks, checkering generally crisp but some storage blemishes are within the checkered panels. With the exception of the right trigger that won't set, the remainder of the rifle is in mechanically fine condition. A fine rifle from one of the greatest Continental European gunmakers with exceptional provenance.