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Exceptional, Highly Ornate Exhibition Quality Engraved, Gold Inlaid, and Relief Carved German
Percussion Target Rifle from J.L.
Dotter in Wurzburg - NSN, 38 cal.,
30 5/8 inch octagon bbl., blue/gold/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. Johann Leonhart Dotter is listed as active in the mid-19th century in
Wurzburg, Bavaria. This rifle has a recessed muzzle, dovetailed semi-globe
front sight, adjustable notch rear sight, tang mounted peep sight, adjustable double set triggers, “J. L.
Dotter in Wurzburg.” signed in gold inlay on the top of the barrel along with scroll accents, gold inlays and bands at the breech, extensive scroll engraving with gold inlaid accents throughout the lock and furniture, scrolling trigger guard, and elaborate relief carving, including a scene with a hunter on the left behind the cheekpiece.
CONDITION: Fine with 40% original blue finish, bright original gold inlays, gray and brown patina on the balance, generally only mild age and storage related wear including some oxidation. The stock is very fine and has crisp carving and general mild scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 273
LOT 274
Exhibition Quality German Silver Mounted, Engraved, and Relief Carved Full-Stock Oval Bore Percussion Sporting Rifle by Morgenroth of Gernrode - NSN, 65 cal., 29 1/2 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/bright finish, walnut stock. This mid-19th century Germanic rifle was manufactured by Morgenroth in what is now Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Based on the wrist escutcheon, it appears to have been made for Alexander Charles, Duke of Anhalt-Bernburg. The barrel has “MORGENROTH IN GERNRODE” in raised German silver inlay on the top flat, elaborate patterns along its length, blade and notch sights, and a German silver doe at the breech. There is a decorative German silver barrel band engraved with a reposed deer on top and featuring pierced floral designs on the sides and scrollwork on the bottom. The lock has a pivoting hammer stall, acanthus scrollwork, and border engraving, and it is tripped by adjustable double set triggers. The furniture is all German silver and features primarily scrollwork as well as a dog or other canine on the buttplate tang and a dog and bird on the trigger guard bow. The wrist has a German silver escutcheon with a ducal coronet and inscribed “C.” The stock has a horn cap, pin accented checkering with carved borders, raised relief dogs over a rabbit/hare and fowl above the wrist inlay, a stag head and laurel on the patch box lid, incised leaf carving around the butt, and finely detailed raised and relief carved scenes of a dog (with German silver collar) attacking a boar under the cheek rest and subduing a stag behind the cheek rest accented by scrollwork. CONDITION: Fine with traces of original blue blended with dark patina along the barrel which has distinct patterns and minor wear, faded case colors mixed with dark patina on the lock, light aged patina on the German silver throughout, distinct engraving and inlay patterns, and minor overall wear. The stock is also fine and has distinct checkering and carving, piece missing and minor repair on the forend cap, and mostly only scattered mild dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. Overall, this is a very attractive and distinctive German sporting gun with particularly interesting oval bore. Estimate: 5,000 - 8,500
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