The barrel is inscribed "Ioh: Qualec in Wienn 1720" on top in the mid-section indicating it is by Joseph Qualeck (1689-1755), a talented gunmaker in Vienna. The furniture, carving, and other attributes match well to examples of his work in museum collections, including the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. The massive barrel also has round bottom seven-groove rifling and is chiseled with a the head of a dragon or other mythical beast at the muzzle with fierce teeth and intertwining floral patterns backed by punch dots on the breech section and is equipped with a small post front sight and two notch rear sight. The barrel tang is engraved with a face and border design. The lock has arms and scrollwork engraving with textured backgrounds, a bridleless pan, internal bridle, and no markings. The furniture is brass with intricate designs including Diana on the wrist escutcheon, warriors on the trigger guard and buttplate, scrollwork, and a face on the pierced side plate which has a bestial head at the tip. The stock is likewise carved with delicate scrollwork in raised relief along with a dragon with scrollwork emanating from its mouth. The flats also have tear drop extensions, and the cheekpiece is inlaid with a hunter star in horn and stag on the cheekpiece. The patch box has a domed wooden lid engraved en suite, and there is some nice molding along the stock.

Fine overall with gray and brown patina and light oxidation on the lock and barrel, natural aged patina on the brass, crisp engraving and designs throughout, some minor hairline cracks and repaired cracks, and moderate age and storage related wear throughout. Mechanically fine. This is certainly one of the most distinctive European flintlock rifles we have had the pleasure of bringing to auction.