Page 278 - 4095-BOOK3

LOT 3327
Engraved, Carved, and Silver Mounted Flintlock
Rifle by Joseph Fruewurth of Vienna with Ottoman
Barrel - NSN, 45 cal., 23 3/4 inch part octagon bbl., bright/silver finish,
walnut stock. This mid-18th century flintlock rifle by Joseph Fruewurth
of Vienna features elaborate rococo style scroll cast, engraved, and carved ornamentation
throughout. The Ottoman Damascus barrel features a blade front sight with silver mount, notch rear
sight, silver inlaid and engraved scrollwork, sunken gold lined Ottoman maker’s marks at the breech, and “1” on
the engraved tang. The flat beveled lock is signed “JOS: FRUEWURTH/IN WIENN.” below the faceted priming pan. The
mounts are silver. The stock includes a wooden trigger guard.
CONDITION: Fine with gray patina on the lock and barrel, some oxidation, distinct designs throughout, aged patina on the
silver inlays and mounts, an absent screw from the silver trim on the trigger guard bow, broken ramrod, mild scratches and
dings on the stock, some repairs including a spliced forend, and mild wear. Mechanically functions.
Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3326
Rare “Flintlock” Stock Reservoir Air Rifle by
Wentzlau a Ehrnbreitstein (Ehrnstein) - This “windbuchse”
(wind rifle) at first glance looks like a conventional flintlock sporting rifle,
but it is actually a muzzleloading air rifle with a concealed stock reservoir
and a trapdoor on the buttplate for access. Johann Christian Wentzlau (spelled Wenzlau on this
example) is listed as active circa 1747-1784 in Koblenz and was a court gunsmith to the Landgraves of
Hesse-Darmstadt and also to Ehrnbreitstein fortress. He produced both “flintlock” and “wheellock” air rifles
for his wealthy clients. These advanced rifles would have been primarily used for hunting by the nobility, and some
examples were designed to be convertible for use with compressed air or black powder. Some examples remain in European
collections such as at Berleburg Castle and the Kranichstein Hunting Museum. The tapered 31 3/4 inch octagonal barrel is
.45 caliber and has dovetailed blade and notch sights. The flat beveled lock is signed “WENZLAU/A EHRNBREITSTEIN/No 214”
and is a complete flintlock mechanism, but the barrel does not have a vent for use with black powder. The rifle is equipped
with adjustable double set triggers and brass mounts aside from the dark horn forend tip. The walnut stock has some relief
scroll carving and molding.
CONDITION: Fine with silver gray patina and minor oxidation on the iron, broken jaw screw, attractive aged patina on the
brass mounts, some cracks in the otherwise fine stock, distinct markings and carving, and mild overall wear. The set triggers
and lock function. The air mechanism has not been tested.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
276