Page 288 - 4095-BOOK1

LOT 296
Rare Pair of Panel Scene Engraved Adam Schnepf
Wheellock Sporting Rifles -A) A. Schnepf Wheellock
Rifle - NSN, 28 bore cal., 35 1/8 inch octagon bbl., bright
finish, walnut stock. This pair of wheellock rifles by
Adam Schnepf of Brno and Vienna c. 1677-1710 feature
swamped octagonal barrels with seven-groove rifling,
dovetailed brass blade front sights, dovetailed three-leaf
rear sights with sculpted scroll finials, “ADAM SCHNEPF”
signed on top in decorative script, and beaded borders
at the breech ends which are also numbered “1” and
“2” respectively. The rifles have flat locks with internal
wheels and large engraved scenes of deer as well as
bestial motifs on the fittings. The rifles are fired using
adjustable double set triggers with engraved brass
trigger plates featuring foliate finials that coordinate
with the extended finger groove trigger guards. The
pierced side plates feature elaborate interlacing scroll
patterns with engraving. The stocks have contrasting
light and dark horn fittings and attractive molding and
carving. The ramrods have coordinating dark and light
horn tips. Norman R. Blank acquired the rifles from
Martin B. Retting, Inc. in 1957 or 1958. One of the rifles is
shown in “World’s Guns” by Golden State Arms in
1958 on page 11.
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