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LOT 3255
Incredibly Scarce Lorenzoni Type Lever Action Repeating Flintlock Rifle - NSN, 60 cal., 27
inch octagon bbl., blue/brass finish, walnut stock. The Lorenzoni repeater system was designed by
Michele Lorenzoni c. 1680 and was among the first practical repeating firearms. They were manufactured
by multiple gunmakers, including John Cookson, in Europe and North America in the 17th and 18th century but
never produced in significant numbers and were naturally only available to wealthy clients, including European
kings and princes. They rarely come available, but when they do, they can be found in a variety of variations in the
design due to various gunmakers experimenting with the system. On this example, which is very Germanic in styling,
the buttstock has a tube magazine accessed via a button on the heel, automatic pan priming system built into the outside
of the lock under the pan with a small cover on the bottom, and a powder reservoir accessed via a sliding door on the left side
plate. To load the rifle, the lever on the left is simply rotated forward and back allowing a rapid rate of fire in an era dominated by single shot muzzle loaders. The swamped barrel has faint rifling, a dovetailed brass blade front sight, and a floral mark on the lower right flat at the breech. The lever is a spiral design with a bestial mask
at the front and a brass knob on the rear. The brass action has a groove for the rear sight on top between two holes, two additional holes on the bottom, and scroll, border, and floral engraving. The brass trigger guard has a stag scene on the bow, wavy borders, and filework on the front and rear. The lock has an interesting series of filed grooves and ridges on the various
components and a checkerboard pattern on the powder magazine. The buttplate has two “4” marks on the tip of the finial followed by what appears to be an “N” and then an “M.” The stock has some attractive molding and floral carving, tear drop flats, a long but shallow cheek rest on the left, and a sling loop on the bottom.
CONDITION: Good with more than half of the dull refinished blue finish over extensive moderate pitting along the barrel, aged patina on the brass, crack in the frame by the trigger, gray and brown patina on the bright iron components, and general mild wear. The otherwise very good stock has some loss by the trigger, nice carving, some subtle flame figure, and mild dings and scratches. Mechanically fine. A fascinating
and rarely seen early repeater.
Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 3256
Ornate Engraved, Relief Chiseled, and Carved Brescian Snaphance Sporting Gun - NSN, 32 gauge, 32 1/4 inch part round
bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Manufactured c. late 17th century in northern Italy. The barrel has a bead front sight, decorative ribs, girdled transition point, “LAZARO LAZARINO COMINAZZO”
(noting the Cominazzo family renown for their barrels) on top at
the breech, and a dished rear sight on the tang. The lock has classical martial trophies, a Roman style bust on the cock screw, another classical figure seated on arms on the plate, raised relief design including a bestial mask at the tail, and an automatically opening pan cover. The side plate, trigger guard, buttplate, and accent plates throughout have chiseled scroll patterns inhabited by wyverns and masks in the iconic style of the Brescian gunmakers. The trigger is a pierced scroll and wyvern design. The stock has a low cheek rest and is carved with a raised
relief design of a stag’s head. The ramrod has an chiseled iron tip that coordinates with the rest of the gun.
CONDITION: Fine with distinct engraving and markings, smooth gray patina, some light oxidation/pitting, and mild overall wear. The stock is also fine and has crisp carving, smooth oiled finish, a thin crack at the heel, some small flakes at the edges by the tail of the lock, and generally minor wear. The lock hangs up but is functional otherwise.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
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