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LOT 3321
Engraved and Carved Heavy Barrel Flintlock Sporting Rifle by Riegel of
Deux-Ponts for the Eastern Market - NSN, 24 cal., 31 7/8 inch octagon bbl.,
blue/bright/gilt finish, walnut stock. Johann Friedrich Riegel, Johann Wolfgang
Riegel, and Leonhard Riegel are listed in “Der Neue Stockel” as active in Deux-
Ponts (Zweibrucken) towards the end of the 18th century. The blued octagonal
barrel has a dovetailed nickel-silver blade front sight, dovetailed notch rear
sight with engraved finial, “RIEGEL. A. DEUX PONTS.” signed on top, and scroll
engraving and a beaded girdle at the breech. The rounded lock is engraved
with a scene of a hunter with rifle and shot bird at the center, cherub chasing
birds at the tail, and “RIEGEL/A/DEUXPONTS” signed at the front. The gilt brass
mounts feature cast and engraved scrollwork, men in Eastern attire, dogs on
the side plate, and “7” inscribed on the escutcheon. The full stock has a horn
forend cap, fine scroll carving, wood patchbox lid with “A46” marked inside, and
“52-9-27.” marked on the left side of the forend. Includes the listing for this rifle
when sold in Arthur Yates’s July 1964 catalogue on page 2 as item 297.
CONDITION: Very fine with crisp engraving and carving, 80% plus original blue
finish on the barrel, some light oxidation and pitting, gray patina on the lock,
some gilt finish remaining on the mounts, aged patina non the balance, and
generally mild overall wear. The stock is fine and has a crack and splice repair
on the right side of the forend, crisp carving, and mild scratches
and dings. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: Arthur Yates; The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 10,000
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