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LOT 1274
Engraved and Relief Carved Flintlock Sporting Rifle by Thomas Mayer with Johannes Neyreiter
Barrel - NSN, 28 bore cal., 32 inch octagon bbl., blue/bright/gold finish, walnut stock. This c. 1720 sporting rifle
features a blued swamped octagonal barrel with seven-groove rifling, a dovetailed gilt brass blade front sight, dovetailed
gilt brass two-leaf rear sight with foliate finial, “JOHANN [sunken “I.N./rider” maker’s mark] NEYREITER IN
SALZB:” signed on top with engraved scroll accents, and chiseled beaded border at the breech. Johann
Andreas Neyreiter (recorded c. 1669-1754) was a master gunmaker in Salzburg. The lock is signed “THOMAS
MAYER” behind the cock and “HEYDELBERG” beneath the faceted priming pan and has engraved and chiseled
scrollwork, a deer scene on the tail, and Diana, goddess of the hunt, towards the center.
The rifle has an adjustable single set trigger with a foliate finial trigger plate. The gilt brass
mounts have cast and engraved scroll and mask motifs along with a coat of arms on the heel. The stock
features a horn forend cap, molding, relief foliate and scroll carving, a wooden patchbox lid, and cheekpiece. The replacement
wooden ramrod has a horn tip. Includes a certificate of authenticity for Norman R. Blank from F. Theodore Dexter.
CONDITION: Very fine with 85% plus original fire blue finish remaining on the barrel, silver-gray patina on the lock, some minor
oxidation, crisp engraving and designs, mix of original gilt finish and aged patina on the mounts, and general minor wear. The
stock is fine and has some cracks and
repairs, including a restored forend, and distinct carving. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 1275
Engraved and Carved Flintlock Rifle Signed V. Roder and Jean Coburger with Ornate Sling
- NSN, 24 bore cal., 31 3/8 inch octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This c. 1720 flintlock sporting rifle
features a swamped octagonal barrel with six-groove rifling, a dovetailed blade front sight, dovetailed notch
rear sight, “*V*RODER*” signed ahead of the rear sight, escutcheon shaped stamps with “D/D” ahead of the rear
sight and “SS” on the upper left and upper right (see “Der Neue Stockel” 7338 for the former and 8349 and 4536
for the latter), and groove in the breech that extends onto the tang. The lock has relief chiseled scrollwork with
bestial masks and “IEAN COBVRGER./A.WEIMAR” signed below the faceted priming pan. The
mounts are steel with foliate finials and engraving and an engraved and pierced sideplate with a Dacian draco style
finial. The stock has fine molding, beautiful relief scroll carving (including on the patchbox lid), and a shallow cheekpiece.
The rifle is fitted with a very attractive green leather and needlepoint ornamented fabric sling with dogs and game animals
with bead eyes and foliate patterns.
CONDITION: Fine with silver-gray and gray patina,
some oxidation, distinct markings and designs,
and mild wear. The stock is also fine and has crisp
carving, attractive figure, some filled knots and repairs, and generally minor
scratches and dings. The sling is also fine and has some separation, distinct embroidery,
and mild wear. Mechanically excellent. Overall, a very attractive German sporting rifle.
Provenance: The Collection of the Dukes of Saxe-Weimar at Schloss Ettersburg; The
Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000