Multi-shot flintlock pistols and long guns were the forerunners of the true revolvers of the 19th century and are very rare and highly desirable antique arms. A small number of firearms built using the system on this long gun in three and four-shot variations were manufactured by a group of gunmakers operating in the spa town of Carlsbad in Bohemia in the first half of the 18th century. Naturally, these advanced firearms were reserved for the nobility, and King Christian IV of Denmark is known to have owned a pair of pistols from Carlsbad using this system. The system used on this gun is similar to the "wender" or "turn-over" design employed on double barrel pistols and long guns in the flintlock era, but instead of having multiple complete barrels, the gun has three chambers with their own pans and frizzens. By giving each chamber its own pan and frizzen, no complicated automatic priming mechanism is required. After pulling on the release trigger at the front of the trigger guard, these chambers are manually rotated to bring them into alignment with the main barrel, and the hared lock which is back action format. The lock is manually cocked each time. This would significantly improve the time between shots compared to a single shot firearm and would also be more durable and less complex to manufacture than many of the other rare multi-shot designs of the era. The frizzens and long, mostly straight frizzen springs are mounted to separate plates running from the side of each chamber ahead of the pan to the front of circular plate at the junction of the chambers and barrel. Since you are not required to load down the barrel, the ramrod is shorter as well. This arrangement also keeps the vents out of line with one another which should reduce the risk of chain fires. The smoothbore barrel has a long sighting flat, a bead front sight, and floral and classical martial engraving at the breech highlighted in gold. The chambers, lock, and other components are also engraved with floral patterns and martial trophy designs and highlighted in gold, and the buttplate features a boar hunting scene. The stock and forend have attractive carved flats and molding. Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr

Very good overall with strong traces of original gilt finish and otherwise primarily a dark mottled brown patina and mild oxidation and pitting throughout. The brass has aged patina, and the trigger guard has a repair. The wood is also very good and has some cracks, repairs at the toe and forend edges, a few small chips, and general scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.