Page 193 - Auction84-Book2

Real Art • Real History • Real Iron
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK DECORATED FIREARMS (1540- 1870) BY GUSLER & LAVIN
In addition to the noted relief carved scenes of dogs pursuing stags on the locks, they are signed “HOFMANN” between the leaves of the frizzen springs and inscribed “A•BAYREUTH•1733” along the beveled edge below the frizzen springs. The barrels are all elaborately patterned Damascus and feature sighting and decorative flats and silver blade front sights with “spider” bases. The furniture is cast silver with gilt backgrounds and features elaborate Baroque designs. The stocks have coordinating raised relief carved scroll patterns that incorporate mask designs around the upper tangs. The long gun has inlaid eyes and teeth on this element. The gun’s half-length stock has a somewhat “Madrid” stock style butt with fluted toe section and a cheekpiece with fluted edge and has a wooden patchbox lid. The pistol stocks are full-length. All three have horn forend caps. The long gun and one of the pistols have felted tompions. CONDITION: Very fine overall with aged patina on the silver furniture along with light gilt finish in the backgrounds, gray patina on the lock and barrel, distinct patterns throughout, and minor overall wear. The stock is also very fine and has a long repaired crack, crisp carving, and mild overall wear including some small scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.
B) Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 58 cal., 11 1/8 inch round bbl., bright/
gold/silver finish, walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Very fine with aged patina on the silver furniture along
with light gold in the backgrounds, smooth gray patina on the lock
and barrel, distinct patterns and designs throughout, and mostly
light overall wear. The stock is fine and has crisp carving, a crack in the
horn cap, small flakes, and numerous small dings and scratches concentrated on the left side. Mechanically fine.
C) Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 58 cal., 11 1/8 inch round bbl., bright/gold/silver finish, walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Very fine with attractive aged patina on the silver furniture as well as light gold remaining in the backgrounds, smooth gray patina on the lock and barrel, distinct patterns and designs throughout, and light
overall wear. The stock is fine and has crisp carving, numerous
small dings and scratches concentrated on the left side, and a
few small flakes at the edges. Mechanically fine. This is a beautiful garniture certainly well-suited for a German duke known to love the hunt and worthy of display within an advanced fine arms collection. Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
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