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VERY RARE WHEEL LOCK RIFLE BY THE MEISTER DER TIERKOPFRANKE FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE SERENE HIGHNE

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
VERY RARE WHEEL LOCK RIFLE BY THE MEISTER DER TIERKOPFRANKE FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE SERENE HIGHNE
NSN. While not as elaborate as some examples, this wheel lock is unquestionably from the hand of the Meister der Tierkopfranke. Coming as it does from a collection formed first in the 17th century, it was probably ordered from the maker by one of the princes. The relatively plain walnut stock is superbly carved with the classic stag, dog, fox and an expanded flower. Cheekpiece features a stag horn inlay of a Turk surrounded by carved animals. Forend, while not carved, is beautifully fluted with volutes. Patchbox carved with a fox. Lock is relatively plain with an internal wheel and cover pierced with a heart. Dog is finely pierced, lightly engraved and well formed. Heavy oct bbl has a two leaf rear sight, finely filed, and a bronze fore sight. Bbl is engraved at beach and stamped "SM" on top flat. Has set trigger, which works perfectly. PROVENANCE: See Arms and Armor Annual, by Held, p. 192, #32; see Die Grossen Buchsenmacher, by Schedelmann, p. 98; see Waffen-Und Kostuemkunde, 1962, Vol. 1, p. 5, #22; see Die Waffensammlung Des Fursten Salm-Reifferscheit Zu Schloss Dyke, by Ehrenthal, p. 55, #166. Waffensammlung des Fursten Salm-Reifferscheidt. Christie's 1996, lot 156. Tom Lewis, Evergreen, CO. Actual rifle listed in Schedlemann's article Arms and Armor #32 "Wheellock rifle, the barrel signed 'SM'. Schloss Dyck, near Dusseldorf, Germany, No. 166." Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: As with all the guns in the Schlossdych Armory, this wheel lock has been cleaned bright. Metal is otherwise crisp. Stock is extremely crisp and impressed with the Schloss Dyck inventory "10" next to trigger guard. Carving is exceptionally crisp and stock would rate excellent except for some very old storage dings. Gun also retains original ramrod. 4-49829 MZ10