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LOT 3326
Engraved Wheellock Sporting Rifle Dated 1671 by Hans Stifter of Prague - NSN, 50 cal., 31 3/8 inch octagon
bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Hans (Johann/Johannes) Stifter was a gunmaker for the court of the Elector of Saxony
in the 1660s, and his shop was reportedly taken over by his son Johann Christoph Stifter in 1677, and the latter moved to
Dresden c. 1700. Also see Lot 1279 for another Stifter rifle dated 1680. This rifle’s swamped octagonal barrel is signed “HANS
[sunken maker’s mark] STIFTER” and dated “1671” on the breech section. The barrel also features nine-groove rifling, circles on the
muzzle face, a dovetailed brass blade front sight, a dovetailed three-leaf notch rear sight, engraved bands at the breech, and a short tang. The flat lock
plate features a foliate tail finial, elaborate foliate scroll carving, a pierced wheel cover featuring a pair of angels/putti, and a pierced and engraved dog
with bestial and scroll motifs. The rifle is fired using adjustable single set triggers enclosed by an extended iron finger groove trigger guard. The stock
features engraved stag-horn mounts, including a patchbox lid engraved with a lioness, another lioness scene on the cheekpiece, and foliate designs. An
old “IV/43” inventory marking is marked at the toe and “4.43.” below the dog spring.
CONDITION: Very fine overall with mostly silver-gray patina on the metal along with some faint oxidation staining/pitting, crisp engraving and
markings, distinct engraving on the mounts, excellent molding on the stock, and general mild overall wear, including some small cracks and chips in
the wood. Lock not tested. Triggers mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
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