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The sliding wooden patch box lids feature brass plates depicting hunters taking a shot at a deer which is being pursued by a dog. In addition to the beautiful metal work, the walnut stocks feature raised relief carved scrolls and fine molding.
Caspar Zelner, also spelled Zellner, (1661-1745) was
a royal gunmaker in Vienna for Emperor Joseph I
and Charles VI. This pair of rifles is illustrated in Hans Schedelmann’s “Die Wiener Buchsenmacher und Buchsenschafter” (tafel VII, VIII, and IX) and an included invoice dated May 23, 1966, lists fees relating to the shipment of these rifles. Norman Blank believed that these rifles belonged to the Graf von Starhemberg (1638-1701), the famed defender of Vienna in 1683 against the Ottomans. The rifles have similarities with the Caspar Zelner rifles in the Philadelphia Museum
of Art (Accession Numbers: 1977-167-837a and 1977- 167-837b) identified as made for Emperor Charles VI of Austria. Another somewhat similar rifle, originally part of a pair, from the collection of Russian Emperor Peter III is in Gatchina Palace and Estate Museum in Russia.
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