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The rounded lock is signed “PIRAVBE AVX GALLERIES” near the edge under the frizzen spring and
features chiseled and engraved scrollwork, martial trophies, and a portrait. The lock and steel mounts
display the clear influence of the patterns of Claude Simonin in their decoration which
includes chiseling, piercing, and engraving in a variety of patterns, including trefoil
finials, an elaborate foliate scrolling design sideplate, serpent heel extension, masks, and
scrollwork. The stock features fine molding and scroll carving. Lot 1535 in
the “Mobilier der Mme Charles Rubner, Paris, 1938” sale by Galerie Fischer
matches this gun, and notes indicate the gun was purchased by Norman
R. Blank from W. Keith Neal in 1963.
CONDITION: Very good with the metal cleaned to a smooth silver-gray
patina, rubbed designs on the breech section but crisp engraving and
chiseling elsewhere, hole in both the trigger guard bow and tang, and
mild wear. The refinished stock is also very good with crisp carving on
the right, worn carving on the left, chips at the nose of the lock, and mild
scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Charles Rubner Collection; The W. Keith Neal
Collection; The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 7,500
” The barrel has a 36 1/4 inch long sighting rib engraved with a position for a now absent
front sight and long band of scrollwork emanating from the hands of a figure engraved at
the rear. The breech section of the barrel features a detailed chiseled figure waving a banner,
bestial masks, Winged Nike blowing her horn, and a classical bust of a man wearing a laurel
crown above banners and lightning bolts suggesting the piece celebrates the victory of a military
leader. A similar bust is featured on the trigger guard bow, and a bust of a man in a helmet is on the wrist
escutcheon. The lock and mounts also feature extensive chiseling in
the form of a variety of other figures, beasts, masks, foliate designs
and a castle on the buttplate. The highly figured walnut stock has
carved molding. “K.N. 1913” and “1918” is marked in the barrel
channel (Karl Necke, Keeper of the Castle), and “1918” is written
under the buttplate. The last time this gun was in a public auction
was 98 years ago!
CONDITION: Very fine as restored with distinct chiseled designs
throughout, gray and silver-gray patina throughout, minor
oxidation/pitting, and generally fairly minor wear. The stock is
fine and has distinct molding, some chips and repairs, and beautiful figure
throughout. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Collection of the Dukes of Saxe-Weimar at Schloss Ettersburg; The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 7,000 - 11,000
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