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FINE AND RARE GERMAN WHEEL LOCK RIFLE BY THE MEISTER DER TIERKOPFRANKE, CIRCA 1650.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:7,500.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
FINE AND RARE GERMAN WHEEL LOCK RIFLE BY THE MEISTER DER TIERKOPFRANKE, CIRCA 1650.
NSN. Lock with internal wheel engraved with woman's face and breasts surrounded by clouds. Wheel cover with the classic Austrian double headed eagle. Pierced dog engraved and dog spring well filed. Oct bbl stippled throughout its length in imitation of Damascus steel. Two leaf rear sight, brass front sight. Stock superbly carved with two lions on cheekpiece and a recumbent deer. Opposite lock stock is carved with a running stag. Forend carved with volutes. White stag horn forend cap and ramrod pipe. Cheekpiece also inset with mother of pearl heart. Patchbox carved with monsters. NOTES: Very fine example of the Meister der Tierkopfranke. In fine condition throughout. Does not appear by number in the Schedlemann article, but may be listed. More research required on this wonderful example of the Master's work. PROVENANCE: See Arms and Armor Annual, by Held, p. 180. Joe Kindig, Jr. Collection, York, PA. Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Stock is excellent with carving crisp and lovely warm patination throughout resulting from careful handling over hundreds of years. "ZZ" incised forward of trigger guard. Metal condition steel color throughout. Stippling on bbl very crisp and not pitted. Tang slightly rubbed. 4-49894 MZ31