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LOT 3329
Elaborate May of Manheim Flintlock Sporting Gun with Ottoman Style Barrel from the Collection of the Landgraves of
Hesse-Darmstadt and Grand Dukes of Hesse - NSN, 17 gauge, 36 5/8 inch part round bbl., bright finish, relief carved walnut stock. This distinctive sporting gun dating from the mid-18th century has an elaborate Damascus smoothbore barrel in the Ottoman style with silver blade front sight, silver inlays and bands, an indistinct brass-lined maker’s mark towards the breech, and steel tang. This form of barrel proved popular in Europe following the relief of the Siege of Vienna in 1683 with imitations of captured Ottoman barrels remaining fashionable into the mid-18th century. The flat beveled lock is signed “MAY/A/MANHEIM” beneath the faceted priming-pan
and has a stepped tail. The mounts are brass with foliate finials including the heel-plate tang which is also engraved with the coat of arms of the Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt. The burl half-stock has a horn forearm cap, fine molding, trefoil carving, and a large cheekpiece with fluted edge and scroll carved accents. It has
an old collection tag that reads “Nr. 35 Steinschl. Gewehr a Nr. 635.” Associated horn-tipped ramrod.
Notes from the Norman R. Blank Collection indicate this gun came from Jagdschloss Kranichstein and that W. Keith Neal purchased it through Hans Schedelmann on August 16, 1959. Jagdschloss Kranichstein had belonged to the Landgraves of Hesse-Darmstadt and Grand Dukes of Hesse. The last Grand Duke consolidated the arms collection at Jagdschloss Kranichstein in 1917.
CONDITION: Very good with distinct signature, period refurbished top-jaw, jaw-screw and cock retaining screw. Attractively aged patina on the fine brass, gray and brown patina along with distinct Damascus patterns on the barrel, and dark aged patina on the barrel inlays with one silver band missing. The period working life shortened stock, with scattered age related storage marks and a few scattered cracks and chips. Mechanically excellent. Overall, a very interesting piece from the collection of the Landgraves of Hesse-Darmstadt and the Grand Dukes of Hesse.
Provenance: The Landgraves of Hesse-Darmstadt and Grand Dukes of Hesse; The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3330
Fine Relief Carved Germanic Flintlock Sporting Gun with Elaborate Ottoman Style Barrel - NSN, 20 gauge, 38 3/4 inch part octagon bbl., bright finish, relief carved walnut stock. This circa 1750 flintlock sporting gun was made using an ornately patterned textured Damascus barrel in the Ottoman style with silver inlays, a blade front sight, and a silver and gold calligraphic marking on top of the breech section and retained by a single brass barrel-band.
This form of barrel proved popular in Europe following the relief of the Siege of Vienna in 1683 with imitations of captured Ottoman barrels remaining fashionable into the mid-18th century. The barrel tang and rounded
lock are burnished steel, and the latter has a semi-rainproof priming-pan. The mounts are brass.
The walnut half stock has relief carving mainly consisting of scroll patterns as well as a
brass forearm cap, wood grip extension trigger-guard with brass reinforcement, and a
cheekpiece. With original wooden ramrod with brass-capped dark horn tip.
CONDITION: Fine with attractive mix of gray and brown patina and distinct Damascus
patterns along the barrel as well as aged patina to the silver inlays, bright lock and
tang, attractively aged patina on the fine brass mounts, and generally minimal age and
storage related wear. The stock is fine and has crisp carving, minor dings and scratches,
and a few chips along the edges. Mechanically excellent. This is a very distinctive mid-
18th century Germanic sporting gun with an extraordinary barrel and will surely add
interest to any antique arms collection.
Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection.
202 Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000