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Prince Ludwig Ferdinand
LOT 315
Incredible Historic Royal Presentation
Grade Engraved, Gold Inlaid, and Raised
Relief Carved 20 Gauge Side by Side Hammer
Shotgun from L. Dieter of Munich Owned by Prince Ludwig Ferdinand of Bavaria - Serial no. 333, 20 gauge, 29 1/8 inch solid rib bbl., brown/gold/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This incredible royal shotgun from circa the 1880s belonged to Prince Ludwig Ferdinand of Bavaria (1859-1949) and was previously exhibited at the Deutsches Jagdmuseum in Munich. In addition to his roles as General of Cavalry of the Bavarian army, Royal Colonel of the 18th Bavarian Infantry, and head of a dragoon regiment, he was
a surgeon and gynecologist, which was highly unusual for
a prince. During World War I, he was the head of surgery
at the military hospital in Munich. He was the nephew of King Maximilian II of Bavaria, King Otto I of Greece, Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria, and King-Consort Francis of Spain. King Alfonso XII of Spain was his first cousin, and Ludwig Ferdinand became an Infante of Spain following
his marriage to Alfonso’s sister Maria de la Paz in 1883. The bottom of the frame has the prince’s monogram in gold, and the engraving throughout consists of classic German “black leaf ” engraving with gold inlaid borders along with putti, a dog, a rabbit, and a large mask of a bearded figure on the buttplate (likely representing a wild man, a popular motif in German engraving). The forend and stock have coordinating relief carved “black leaf” patterns with a harpy and bestial mask (likely a satyr) on the forend, winged figure on the right side of the stock and coordinating winged female figure carved on the horn grip extension (both may be sirens), and an exceptional raised relief panel on the left behind the cheek rest with the head of the stag from the
tale of St. Hubert (the prince was a member of the Order of St. Hubert) over a coat of arms at the center with a winged helmet at the top and a bird on the escutcheon, masks on the sides of the “frame,” two putto supporters, and a spread wing bird at the bottom. The Damascus barrels have a bead front sight, “L. Dieter Munchen” in gold inlay, and gold inlaid scrolls and
putti at the breech end. The underside has “282” on
the bottom of the left barrel and German eagle and “crown/R” (repair) and “crown/W” (choke) proofs and
“20” both circled and uncircled. The watertable has
“333” and eagle and “crown/R” proofs. Barrel and
stock measurements (R/L): chambers measured at 2
1/2 inches; bore diameter 9 inches from the breech .632/.628 inches; choke constriction .003/.022 inches; minimum wall thickness .029/.029 inches; 1 3/8 inch drop at comb; 3 1/4 inch drop at heel; 13 1/2 inch length of pull; weight 5 lbs 6 oz.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with bright gold inlays,
60% of the brown finish and distinct Damascus patterns along the barrel along with patches of minor oxidation,
mix of silver-gray on the foregrounds and mainly darker backgrounds on the remaining surfaces which have crisp engraving, and generally minor wear. The wood is also very fine and has exceptional raised relief carving, attractive figure, and light overall handling and storage related wear. Mechanically fine. This is a beautiful royal shotgun owned by Prince Ludwig Ferdinand of Bavaria.
Estimate: 25,000 - 37,500