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is mounted on the left side and is signed “M.A. SAAM” and “FRANKFURT A/M” in a pair of banners. The lock, the action, and the fittings have gold inlaid borders, scroll
engraving, and floral accents. The trigger guard features a gold inlaid monogram that appears to be “CL” and has a horn grip extension with carved scrolls at the rear.
The upper tang is fitted with a folding peep sight, and the action is equipped with adjustable double set triggers. The wood has excellent figure. The forearm and wrist of
the buttstock are finely checkered, and cheek rest is on the right side for use by a left handed shooter. Sling swivels are mounted on the bottom of the barrel and bottom of the butt. The
buttplate has a checkering pattern that coordinates with the barrel “matting” and has an empty compartment.
CONDITION: Fine with 85% of the period refurbished blue finish remaining on the barrel and toning to a smooth plum brown tone, 25% of the period refurbished case colors, essentially all of the original gold inlays, 70% plus original blue finish on the trigger guard, and crisp markings and engraving. There is some minor wear including faint oxidation/pitting. The wood is also very fine and has distinct
checkering, attractive figure, minor dings, and minor age and handling related wear. Mechanically excellent. This is a classic German sporting rifle in fine condition. It is especially rare given its left-handed configuration.
Estimate: 10,000 - 18,000
LOT 3367
Finely Engraved and Gold Inlaid M.A. Saam Left-Handed Rotary Underlever Stalking Rifle - NSN, 10 mm cal., 25 3/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/gold/casehardened
finish, walnut stock. Michael Adam Joseph Saam was a gunmaker active in Frankfurt am Main in the 1870s. This rifle is signed “M.A. SAAM. FRANKFURT. A/M.” on the top flat of the barrel which has a diamond and dot pattern “matting” and is
fitted with dovetailed blade and notch sights. The barrel also has a pair of gold bands at both the muzzle and breech and a latter engraved border at the latter. It has no caliber markings but measures around .40 caliber (10 mm) at the muzzle and has a “78/41” marking along with the
German proofs and a “CS” marking on the bottom of the barrel. It may be in 10.5x47R given other rifles by Saam noted in that caliber. The back action lock
LOT 3368
Very Fine Engraved H. Scherping Single Shot Boxlock Rifle with Extra Length Barrel - Serial no. 857, 38 cal., 42 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Heinrich R. Scherping of Hannover was active starting in 1857 until his death in 1913. He was a royal gunmaker and also a retailer. The business continued until around World War II. The barrel has an adjustable semi-globe front sight, fluted fore section, matted top flat in the breech section, flared section on the upper flat fitted with an adjustable notch sight, “H. SCHERPING HOF=BUCHENMACHER” on the upper right, and “HANNOVER” on the upper left. The bottom of the barrel is marked with “857,” “K,” crowned proofs including a “crown/R” (proof after a repair/alteration) and “91/83.” The casehardened boxlock action has “H. SCHERPING” on the right, “HANNOVER” on the left, fine scroll and floral engraving, a folding base for a peep sight on the upper tang behind the top lever, Greener safety on the left with gold “SAFE” marking, adjustable double set triggers, and a spurred trigger guard. The long, Schnabel tip forearm has a coordinating engraved lever and checkering with lined borders, and the nicely figured buttstock has a checkered pistol grip with horn cap,
prominent cheek rests on each side, and a casehardened single hook buttplate
with light engraving.
CONDITION: Very fine with 85% original blue finish, 75% plus original case colors, crisp engraving and markings, patches of brown patina and minor oxidation, some light marks and scratches, and general minor wear. The wood is also very fine and has attractive figure, mild wear on the otherwise crisp checkering, and light scratches and dings. Mechanically fine. This is a very attractive German rifle.
Estimate: 9,500 - 14,000
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