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LOT 1246
18th Century German “Wheellock” Mueller-Buechse Stock Reservoir
Air Rifle by Wentzlau - , 54 , 30 3/4 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut
stock. Though this rifle at first glance appears to be a traditional wheellock
rifle, it is actually a muzzleloading air rifle with a concealed stock
reservoir and a trapdoor on the buttplate for access. Johann Christian
Wentzlau of Ehrnbeitstein is listed as active circa 1747-1784 and was
a court gunsmith to the landgraves of Hesse-Darmstadt and also
to Ehrenbreitstein fortress. He produced both “flintlock” (see the
following lot) and “wheellock” air rifles for his wealthy clients, and
they would have been primarily used for hunting. Some of these
air guns could be readily converted to use black powder. Examples
remain in the Berleburg Castle and the Kranichstein Hunting
Museum. The tapered octagonal barrel is inscribed “WENTZLAV. A:
EHRNBREITSTEIN: No. 107” on top and has dovetailed blade and notch
sights. The rounded lock has no visible markings and contains a complete wheellock
mechanism although there is no corresponding vent in the barrel. The rifle has an iron grip extension trigger
guard enclosing adjustable double set triggers. The other mounts are also iron aside from the forend cap
which is horn. The stock features some relief carving and has a false patchbox. The buttplate is inscribed “6”
towards the toe.
CONDITION: Good with silver-gray patina, minor oxidation, distinct markings, some gaps in the fitting, and
general mild wear. The set triggers are mechanically fine. The other mechanisms have not been tested.
Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 9,000 - 15,000
LOT 1247
Rare “Flintlock” Stock Reservoir Air
Rifle by Wentzlau a Ehrnbreitstein
(Ehrnstein) - , 45 , 31 3/4 inch octagon
bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This
“windbuchse” (wind rifle) at first glance
looks like a conventional flintlock sporting
rifle, but it is actually a muzzleloading air
rifle with a concealed stock reservoir and
a trapdoor on the buttplate for access.
Johann Christian Wentzlau (spelled Wenzlau
on this example) is listed as active circa
1747-1784 in Koblenz and was a court gunsmith
to the Landgraves of Hesse-Darmstadt and also
to Ehrnbreitstein fortress.
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