2515

RARE GERMAN FLINTLOCK LONG RIFLE BY WELICSLAUS SPORER IN TAUS, BOHEMIA CIRCA 1710.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
RARE GERMAN FLINTLOCK LONG RIFLE BY WELICSLAUS SPORER IN TAUS, BOHEMIA CIRCA 1710.
NSN. An extremely rare rifle by one of Bohemia's most distinguished early gun makers. Lock and cock are finely relief chiseled with hunting scenes and animals. Brass mounts are cast and chased with hunting scene involving fowling. Buttplate, cast and chased with exotic birds. The oct to rnd bbl is exceptionally long measuring 55". The full stock is finely raised carved with scrolls and a grotesque mask behind the trigger guard. NOTES: although the bbl appears to be rifled for it's full length, the lack of traditional wheel lock type rear sight and motifs of fowling indicate that this rifle was made primarily for bird shooting. This rifle appears as plate 4 in Henry Kauffmam's book The Pennsylvania/Kentucky Rifle. As such this rifle should be of interest to collectors of Kentucky rifles. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Lock is excellent with little to no pitting. Bbl is good with extremely fine pitting throughout and some raised surface rust. Stock is extremely crisp with well defined and sharp carving throughout. Ramrod appears to be the orig. 4-49754 MRZ80