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LOT 312
Elaborate Panel Scene Engraved, Gold Inlaid, and Relief Carved C. Guntermann Rotary Underlever Single Barrel Pinfire Sporting Rifle - NSN, 58 cal., 25 3/8 inch solid rib bbl., brown/gold/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. This rifle from Carl Guntermann’s shop in Dusseldorf has a Damascus barrel with entwining gold lines in gold at the muzzle, transition point, and breech, a gold band at the breech, a flat rib with dovetailed blade and notch sights and “C. GUNTERMANN IN DUSSELDORF” signed in gold, raised ribs on the breech section, a Liege provisional proof on the lower left, and “13.0” on the lower right. The frame, back action lock, trigger guard, and buttplate are engraved with excellent German “black leaf ” engraving patterns and floral accents along with gold inlaid border lines, a chamois head among the designs on the upper tang, and exceptional relief panel scenes of deer on the sides of the frame, lock, and trigger guard bow. The trigger guard is also finely sculpted and has a scroll design at the front and spur at the rear and is joined with an equally finely shaped horn grip extension with pierced scroll designs. The lever arm is also horn, and the forearm is neatly shaped
and has relief scroll carving with a stippled background. The buttstock also has excellent relief carved leafy scroll patterns and stippled backgrounds on the wrist,
attractive figure, and a shadow line cheek rest. Sling swivels are fitted to the bottom of the barrel and buttstock.
CONDITION: Very fine with crisp engraving, 75% of the faded brown finish Damascus patterns on the barrel, bright gold inlays with minimal loss, an attractive gray patina on the foregrounds and darker backgrounds on most of the action and furniture, some stronger finish in the protected areas of the trigger guard and in patches on the buttplate, isolated minor oxidation, and generally minimal wear. The wood is also very fine and has exceptional crisp carving, light scratches and dings, some filled faults in the buttstock that are original, and some small chips on the corners of the forend. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 18,000 - 22,500
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