1081

Wheellock Carbine with Carved Bone Inlays

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 4,500.00 USD
Wheellock Carbine with Carved Bone Inlays
Produced by an unknown smith, with the date "1680" on the top barrel flat, behind the blade front and gilt brass 2-leaf folding rear sight. The barrel also shows light engraving around the breech. Lock plate is unmarked, with a full coverage guard for the wheel, extended fence, engraved hammer and frizzen spring, and extended arm on the hammer jaw. Curved single trigger, set into a carved bone panel with a grooved finger rest trigger guard. Smooth full length stock, with leaf pattern carved bone forearm and ramrod tips, scroll pattern ramrod pipe, leaf pattern panels on the patch box, along the comb and around the bone buttplate, in addition to extensive border and scroll inlays, a number of animals, a three dimensional raised scene of a spearman taking a run at a bear, and a number of birds, beast and a nude woman riding a hippogryph on the cheekpiece arrayed around a cross set into a brooch. The cross symbol appears to be that of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, full name Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta, founded as the Knights Hospitaller during the First Crusade, taking control of the island of Malta circa 1530, and then losing the island to Napoleon in 1798. The Order exists today as a sovereign, non-national entity, with permanent observer status with the U.N. and diplomatic recognition from over 100 nations.
BBL: 28 inch octagon
Stock:
Gauge: 50
Finish: bright
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Fair as assembled, with a mixed brown and gray patina on the steel, with pitting concentrated on the lock and around the flash pan, a number of dents, spotting and handling marks. The refinished stock is fair, with worn holes, some light chipping and pressure dents, along with a fine mixed color on the inlays. Mechanically untested.