Karl/Carl Pirko of Vienna, Austria, was active around 1831-1867, and this rifle dates to around the 1860s. The swamped octagon barrel has gold inlays around the bead style blade front sight, dovetailed two-leaf rear sight, "~K~Pirko~in~Wein~" on top in gold inlay, and gold inlaid patterns at the breech. The platinum plugged breech has a gold inlaid goddess with a spear and shield (possibly Minerva) on top with engraved foliage, gold inlaid bow and quiver of arrows on the upper left, and scroll engraving on the bolster and left side that flows seamlessly into the upper tang's engraving. The upper tang also has a rear peep sight. The lock also have scroll engraving with some gold inlaid accents on the hammer and "WIEN" and "PIRKO" in gold on the plate. The rifle has adjustable double set single phase triggers. The furniture is mostly gilt brass with a mix of floral, scroll, animal, and hunting related patterns. The finger groove trigger guard, for example, has a scene with a goat on the finial. The side plate has scene with dogs and boars, and the thick buttplate has stag and boar heads, an owl, various weapons, hunting horns, and other items along with oak leaves and acorns. The full-length stock has a horn forend cap, checkering in the grasping area of the forend and wrist with scroll carving, floral borders along the bottom of the butt, and raised relief scroll patterns behind the large cheekpiece. There are two small holes to the right of the upper tang possibly from a protective "wear plate" that is now absent. The bottom of the butt has a silver escutcheon with a herzogskrone (coronet of a duke) over the initial "F."

Exceptionally fine with bright original gold throughout, 60% original blue finish on the barrel along with some light oxidation and dark patina, strong original case colors on the lock gray and brown patina on the breech and upper tang, aged patina on the escutcheon, and general minor overall wear mostly associated with age and storage. The delicate front trigger had broken off and is now repaired, and the rifle is mechanically excellent. The stock is very fine and has crisp relief carving, a small crack on the left by the front wedge, some minor wear on the otherwise distinct checkering, nice figure, smooth finish, and minor scratches and dings.