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EXCEPTIONAL GOLD INLAID AND RELIEF CARVED C. GRUNDIG HAMMER VIERLING.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:7,500.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
EXCEPTIONAL GOLD INLAID AND RELIEF CARVED C. GRUNDIG HAMMER VIERLING.
SN 1016. Cal. 16ga x 16ga x 9.3x57 x 22 LR. 27-3/4" Bbls laid out in typical fashion with large rifle bbl under shotgun tubes, and 22 LR bbl forming top rib, which is gold inlaid "C. GRUNDIG KGL. SACHS. HOFBUCHSENMACHER in DRESDEN". There is exceptionally well done, two color gold inlay, attenuated open scroll, extending 5-1/2" down each shotgun bbl, and with some on rear portion of rib/ bbl. Gold bands are at breech ends and muzzles. Bbl/ rib is mounted with two folding U-notch rear sights, one for each rifle bbl, dovetailed through raised portion of rib. Bottom of bottom bbl is stamped with no. "11270" and "SS" (Sauer Suhl ?). A sling loop is soldered to bottom of bottom bbl. Rounded top lever action with two superposed firing pins fitted in each fence, is fitted with peninsula back action locks with deeply chamfered, flat-faced, re-bounding hammers with high checkered spurs, the heads of which are fitted with pivoting noses, allowing either upper or lower firing pin to be hit selecting rifle or shotgun. Action and lockplates are engraved with exceptionally well cut, semi-relief acanthus and scroll with fine shaded background framing vignettes of inlaid gold animals and birds in appropriate backgrounds, all quarry for this fine combination. A roebuck and doe stroll through woodlands on left side of action, while a pair of stag battle in open meadow on right. A pair of foxes gambol by stream side on right lockplate, while the left plate depicts a pair of dachshund standing triumphantly on body of a badger, with den in background. "C. GRUNDIG DRESDEN" is in riband behind pivot of each hammer. There is gold wire inlay around breech faces which extends over top of action having some details of scroll also highlighted in gold. Bottom of action is marked "GESETZLICH" "No 970" "GESCHUTZT" (patent protected). Trigger guard bow depicts gold inlaid auerhahn cock above two hens in trees. The quality of all this work is exceptionally fine. Nicely streaked European walnut pistol grip stock with right hand shadow line cheekpiece and large diamond checkered and engraved steel buttplate, marked with SN, is exceptionally well relief carved. The grip area is carved with scrolled acanthus with stippled background in place of checkering. Grip knob is nicely detailed lion's head. Each side of stock is also well carved with different scenes of the hunt. The left side behind cheekpiece is carved with a jaeger standing triumphantly waving his hat over downed Royal stag, with his hound still worrying stag, in open wooded background with castle in distance. Right side of stock portrays a pair of hounds attempting to take down ivory tusked boar while jaeger looks on waiting for a clear shot. A sling loop and vacant silver oval are on toe line. Matching splinter forend with forward pivoting release is also acanthus carved, flanking checkering. Bore diameter: left-.662, right -.669. Bore restrictions: left -.018 (Mod), right -.003 (IC). Wall thickness: left -.016, right -.025. Drop at heel: 2-5/8", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Weight: 7 lbs. 11 oz. LOP: 13-3/4". CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain most of what appears to be their orig blue, now turning brown, slightly thinning, and with a number of minor scratches, marks, and spots. Action and lockplates retain a considerable amount of their orig case hardening color in protected areas, but are mostly pewter gray. Stocks retain most of their orig finish in areas of carving, with attractive hand wear and highlighting. Uncarved areas of butt and cheekpiece have been refinished in oil, and are a shade or two lighter than carved areas, grain slightly raised. A small chip is missing from left side buttstock under front portion of lockplate. Shotgun bores are very good, bright and shiny, showing some light frosting and a few pits. Large rifle bore is excellent, with sharp strong rifling throughout. 22 Bore is good, shiny, with strong rifling, but with a number of pits, mostly toward breech end. Action is tight. Bbls are slightly off face. Locks are crisp. A truly fine and unusual early vierling. 4-49125 MGM260