1664
Spectacular Engraved and Gold-Inlaid Springer, Single Shot Under Lever Rifle with Imperial Presentat
Currency:USD
Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory
Start Price:8,000.00 USD
Estimated At:20,000.00 - 40,000.00 USD
SOLD
17,000.00USD+ buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2010 Dec 04 @ 15:43UTC-6 : CST/MDT
Did you win this lot?
A full invoice should be emailed to the winner by the auctioneer within a day or two.
Nineteenth Century, Austrian, under lever, breech loading, single shot rifle made by John. Springer with a sliver plaque commentating an Imperial presentation inlaid on the right side of the stock. The rifle has a round barrel with matted sighting rib and two-leaf express rear sight. Sling swivels are mounted on the underside of the barrel on stock. The barrel is blued and has a gold band inlaid around the breech. The maker's name: "JOH. SPRINGER IN WIEN" inlaid in gold on the sighting rib. "SPRINGER in WIEN" is engraved in a banner on the lock plate below the hammer. The rifle has a back-lock action with external firing pin, double triggers and trigger guard with two finger prominent spurs. The highly figured, European walnut stock and forearm have fine checkered panels. The stock has a shallow cheekpiece on left side. The casehardened lock plate, hammer, receiver and breech lever are decorated with intricate, relief carved, game scenes and floral decorations on stippled background. The breech lever is engraved an oval panel that depicts a chamois on a mountain background. The scroll work surrounding the panel is highlighted in gold and "Rudolf" is inlaid in gold script below the panel. An imperial crown above the monogram "FJ" is inlaid in gold on the upper receiver tang. The information provided by the consigner indicates that this rifle was a gift from Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I (1830-1916) to his son Crown Prince Rudolf (1858-1889). The Crown Prince subsequently presented the rifle to another Austrian nobleman; Franz von Nassau. The presentation to von Nassau is commemorated by a silver plaque inlaid on the right side of the rifle stock. The consigner states that this rifle was brought to the United States after WWII by a U.S. Army general.
BBL: 26 inch
Stock: walnut checkered
Gauge: 9.5x47 R
Finish: blue/casehardened/gold inlaid
Grips:
Serial Number: 4902
Condition: Excellent. The rifle retains 90% plus of the original blue and casehardened finish. The sides of the barrel have some scattered, minor scratches and the blue finish is thin in some spots. The receiver, back lock, hammer and tang retain nearly all of the original color casehardened finish. The case colors on the trigger guard and buttplate have faded to a silver-gray patina. The intricate engraving remains sharp. The stock and forearm are both in very fine condition with scattered light handling marks. The checkering on the stock and forearm is sharp. This is an excellent example of a best quality 19th Century Austrian breech loading rifle with impressive engraving and association with the last Austro-Hungarian Emperor, Franz Joseph I.
Auction Location:
4507 49th Avenue, Moline, Illinois, 62165-7578, United States
Previewing Details:
December 2nd - 10:00 am to 6:00 PM
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
19.5% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Please contact the auction house for the preferred shipper’s contact information
Payment Details:
Payment Information: Auction sales are strictly for cash, cashier’s check or checks (with prior approval of the management), MasterCard, Visa or Discover. NOTE TO ALL BUYERS: Method of payment will be U.S. currency or certified check drawn on an American bank. All sales are final at the fall of the Auctioneer's hammer. Buyer’s Premium: All bid prices “hammer prices” (means the price at which a lot is knocked down to the purchaser) will be subject to a buyer’s premium payable by the purchaser of 19.5% of the bid price. There is a 2.5% discount for payment with cash, approved check or wire transfer. The premium is added to your successful bid and the two together equal the total purchase price. At the announcement of “SOLD”, the highest bidder will have purchased the offered lot. This purchase is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein. The purchaser assumes full responsibility thereof and if requested will sign a confirmation of the purchase. The purchaser further agrees to pay the purchase price, buyer’s premium and any applicable taxes before any lot may be transferred. All items purchased by successful bidders must be paid for in full the day of sale. All items purchased by absentee bidders must be paid for in full immediately upon notification.
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2. BUYER'S PREMIUM AND SALES TAX. All bid prices “hammer prices” (means the price at which a lot is knocked down to the purchaser) will be subject to a buyer’s premium 17.5% payable by the purchaser. The buyer’s premium shall be reduced to 15% provided the payment is paid by cash or the equivalent of cash (cashier’s check, wire transfer, or approved personal check). If the account is settled by credit card, the buyer’s premium then shall be the standard 17.5%. This is not an aggregate percentage on the total items bid rather a per item percentage rate. The premium is added to your successful bid and the two together equal the total purchase price. Some items are exempt from Illinois sales tax and others may be subject to Illinois sales tax or local sales tax. The tax is computed on the total purchase price. To establish a tax free sale, a copy of a valid reseller's permit or other instrument of information must be provided to our satisfaction establishing a sales tax exemption. Any purchaser claiming an exemption yet unable to provide proof will be required to pay the tax to us and seek a refund from the State of Illinois. Generally, all items shipped out of state are tax free sales. We have been authorized by the consignor to retain as part of our remuneration, the buyer’s premium payable by the purchaser.
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4. TERMS OF PAYMENT. At the announcement of “SOLD”, the highest bidder will have purchased the offered lot. All sales are final at the fall of the Auctioneer’s hammer or at the announcement of "sold". This purchase is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein. The purchaser assumes full responsibility thereof and if requested will sign a confirmation of the purchase. The purchaser further agrees to pay the purchase price, buyer’s premium and any applicable taxes. All items purchased by successful bidders must be paid for in full the day of sale. All property must be removed from our premises at the purchaser’s expense no later than 5:00 p.m. five days following the date of sale unless otherwise agreed. If the property is not removed, it may be transferred to a public warehouse for the purchaser at the purchaser’s risk and expense.
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20. DISPUTES UNDER THIS CONTRACT
Buyer and RIAC agree to mediate any dispute or claim arising between them resulting from the buyer participating in the auction or any resulting transaction. Furthermore the buyer and RIAC agree should Mediation be necessary that Mediation fees if any will borne equally by the parties. Buyer and RIAC are required under the terms and condition of sale to enter into Mediation before arbitration or any court action. Should a party commence legal action other than Mediation without giving written notice to the other party that party will not be entitled to recover attorney’s fees even if they would otherwise be allowed to that party in the action. All mediation, arbitration and court proceedings, whether in state or federal court, shall be filed and conducted solely within Rock Island County, State of Illinois, and not in any other jurisdiction.
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21. Limitation of Liability. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED ABOVE, ALL PROPERTY IS SOLD “AS IS”. ROCK ISLAND AUCTION COMPANY NOR THE CONSIGNOR MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE TITLE, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS OR CONDITION OF THE PROPERTY OR AS TO THE CORRECTNESS OF DESCRIPTION, GENUINENESS, ATTRIBUTION, PROVENANCE OR PERIOD OF THE PROPERTY OR AS TO WHETHER THE PURCHASER ACQUIRES ANY COPYRIGHTS OR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IN LOTS SOLD OR AS TO WHETHER A WORK OF ART IS SUBJECT TO THE ARTIST’S MORAL RIGHTS OR OTHER RESIDUAL RIGHTS OF THE ARTIST. ALL FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION ARE SOLD AS COLLECTOR LOTS ONLY. FITNESS TO FIRE OR OTHERWISE DISCHARGE THE ARM OR AMMUNITION IS EXPRESSLY DENIED BY ROCK ISLAND AUCTION COMPANY. A COMPETENT GUNSMITH SHOULD BE CONSULTED BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO USE OR FIRE ANY FIREARM OR AMMUNITION. THE PURCHASER EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT IN NO EVENT SHALL ROCK ISLAND AUCTION COMPANY BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY COMPENSATORY, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.