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LOT 3326
Incredibly Ornate Highly Embellished Turkish/Caucasian Miquelet with Damascene Lock - NSN, 62 cal., 48 1/2 inch round bbl., brown/gold/silver finish, hardwood stock. Long guns like this were popular within the mountainous Caucasus region at the border of the Russia Empire and the Ottoman Empire and the border of Europe and Asia, but they are rarely this ornate. This gun is fully decorated from muzzle to butt. The smoothbore barrel is made from a highly patterned Damascus and has raised border designs, a raised top flat with floral finials, band near the swelled muzzle which has a small blade front sight, an untranslated marking on top at the breech, and a notch rear sight at the breech end. The barrel is secured by five silver bands with light engraving. The miquelet lock has an gold damascene finish with line and floral patterns
and coral accents. It has a classic ball trigger. The stock is what really catches your eye. It has panels of bone and/or antique ivory, panels stained light green along the forend, round inlays throughout, silvered brass panels with scroll engraving, round tacks, niello work, bands of mother of pearl, and studs set with a variety of stones.
CONDITION: Fine overall with dark patina and distinct Damascus patterns along the barrel, aged patina on the silver barrel bands, nearly all of the gold remaining on the lock, some absent stones and accent pieces, some cracks and pieces absent from the stock mainly by the front of the lock, and general mild overall wear. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Tom Lewis Collection.
Estimate: 25,000 - 37,500