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Historic Presentation Engraved and Gold-Inlaid Kaiser Wilhelm II Bolt-Action Rifle with Highly Detai

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:7,500.00 - 15,000.00 USD
Historic Presentation Engraved and Gold-Inlaid Kaiser Wilhelm II Bolt-Action Rifle with Highly Detai
Late 19th Century German bolt-action, single shot rifle with the gold inlaid crown and relief carved "W" of Kaiser Wilhelm II engraved on the top of the receiver. The rifle has an octagonal receiver, bolt with turned-down, checkered, handle and bolt stop on the right side of the body. The bolt does not have a safety lever but otherwise resembles the bolt on the Mauser Model 71 Short Rifle. The wedge-fastened barrel is part octagon/part round with a seven-inch octagon section at the receiver and a two and one-half inch octagon section at the muzzle. A sling swivel is brazed to the underside of the barrel. The barrel has a fixed, dove-tail mounted, front sight and dove-tail mounted adjustable rear sight. The rifle is fitted with double-set triggers. The highly figured, European Walnut, high comb stock has a cheek-rest and horn forearm cap, trigger guard, pistol grip cap and buttplate. The barrel has a deep, commercial blue finish. The receiver and bolt are casehardened. The top barrel flat is inlaid with the maker's name: "A.F.W. TIMNER, COBLENZ A/R.". "SR. MAJ.D.KAISERS u.KONINGS" is inlaid in gold on the right barrel flat and "HOFBRUCHSENMACHER" is inlaid in gold on the right flat. Imperial German "Crown/B" and "Crown/U" proofmarks are stamped on the underside of the receiver. The underside of the barrel is numbered "433". The right side of the receiver is stamped with a small eagle and a "Crown/R" repair proof. The same eagle, "Crown/R", markings and the designation "7/6 MM" are stamped on the right barrel flat. The sides of the cocking piece, bolt body, top of the bolt handle and the receiver top, sides and tang are decorated with delicate floral engraving on a stippled background. The edges of the engraved panels are inlaid with gold borders. The gold inlaid borders extend to the barrel breech and muzzle. The stock is decorated with highly detailed relief carvings. The left side of the stock features a buck with a forest background. The pistol grip is covered with relief floral carving. There is a finely checkered panel with floral borders on the forearm. The pistol grip cap is carved with an elaborate, gold-washed, monogram. There is no history accompanying this rifle. It appears to be a handmade piece commissioned for Kaiser Wilhelm II. The Kaiser had a deformed arm and favored light, short-barreled, rifles like this example for hunting.
BBL: 23 1/2 inch
Stock: relief carved walnut
Gauge: 7.6 mm
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 443
Condition: Very fine as period refurbished with 98% of the aforementioned blue remaining on barrel. The receiver 80% of the slightly faded original casecolors.The stock shows indications of well-executed period repair. There is a well-matched replacement insert on the right side of the stock below the bolt and repairs on the inside of the stock. Traces of the original checkering are visible at the rear edges of the stock flats. The relief carving on the forearm, pistol grip and left side of the stock behind the cheekpiece is crisp and in very fine condition. The balance of stock has minor handling marks on the forearm and cheekpiece but remains in fine overall condition. The detailed engraving on the bolt and receiver and is deep and sharp. The gold inlays on the receiver and barrel are intact. This rifle is an exceptional, historic, example of the finest 19th Century German craftsmanship.