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UNUSUAL WHEEL LOCK RIFLE IN THE STYLE OF THE MASTER OF THE ANIMAL HEAD SCROLLS BY GEORGE KEISER IN V

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
UNUSUAL WHEEL LOCK RIFLE IN THE STYLE OF THE MASTER OF THE ANIMAL HEAD SCROLLS BY GEORGE KEISER IN V
NSN. George Keiser was one of the, if not the, most important Austrian gunsmiths of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Existing examples from the wheel lock period are scarce. He appears to have carved this rifle in the style of the Meister der Tierkopfranke, however the carving lacks the crispness and fine detail of the Master himself. The dark walnut stock is deeply relief carved cheekpiece, patchbox and side panel while the forend is fluted, but relatively plain. A major motif on cheekpiece of a hunter blowing a horn in pursuit of a deer with a castle in the background. There are six inlays of white stag horn with floral decoration. The plain lock with internal wheel has a finely filed dog spring. Dog is delicately and well pierced and is engraved with a merman on the top jaw. Oct bbl having a two leaf rear sight and brass fore sight. George Keiser's mark consisting of a crown beneath the initials "GK" is deeply sunk in a bronze reserve on the top flap. A "2" is engraved at the breech. A museum number "P1942 4411 8LD" is inked onto the floorplate. PROVENANCE: See The Gun Report, Vol. 41, No. 12, May, 1996, Cover. Bill Young. Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Pan cover release is replaced. Cock jaw repaired. Lock plate lightly pitted. Bbl lightly pitted overall. Stock is good with crisp carving and some minor repaired splits along forend. Front ramrod pipe replaced. Sling swivels original and present. 4-49864