December 13-15, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2022
Johann Wagner is recorded in Cronach circa 1687 - 1726; his apprenticeship began in Vienna 1687 and in 1726 he was designated Stuckleutnant. Shumway illustrated another example by this maker dated 1722 in the July 1991 copy of Muzzleblasts. Octagonal barrel with dovetailed bead front sight, 2 leaf dovetailed rear sight, one folding leaf, in a primitive buckhorn style. Sights are accented with engraving of geometrics on both sides, with floral finials and a poincon that resembles an acorn at rear; front sight engraving heavily softened. Top flat over breech signed "IoHann Wagner In Cronach 1744"; the 1744 is extremely late for Wagner and it might be among the last rifles he made. Breech is decorated with further scroll in an almost 3D style, with wrigglework line at breech. Deeply cut 8 groove rifling. Lock has absolutely gorgeous relief scrollwork in the rococo style with a heavy bridle that connects frizzen and frizzen spring to pan. Frizzen spring is decorated with beveled edges ad light scroll. Face of the frizzen is relief chiseled with a mythical face with a crown and a stippled ground. Underside of pan has wave decoration. Full length sideplate with scrollwork and hatch shading, depicting a hunting dog chasing after a hare (with strange vulpine ears). Horn tipped ramrod, retained by 2 faceted ferrules with flared mouths, feeding into a reinforced mouth with light engraving en suite. Halfmoon sling swivel mounted above front ferrule and a matching stud along toe line. Relief carved woodwork along length of stock with a floral finial around the reinforced mouth. Nosecap is missing, and was probably originally horn. Jaeger trigger guard engraved with scroll and hatching en suite with balance of gun, and a pair of young dogs in a vignette. Orthoptic rear sight on its own thumbpiece. Bavarian style cheeckpiece with mixed relief and incised carving in floral patterns around cheekpiece and patchbox. Cheekpiece has an 8 pointed star made of alternating mother of pearl and horn. Impressive patchbox with brass vignettes on either end, one with a shell motif and the other depicting a resting stag, with more scroll and shading. Patchbox with an depressed area featuring another 8 pointed star made of mother of pearl and horn. Patchbox contains 2 lead balls and cloth for patches. Large brass buttplate with a faceted heel, engraving en suite, and a depiction of a falcon; some of the ribs with strong evidence of gilt which has all but faded. CONDITION: Overall very good, with some oil staining and some scattered brown mossing. Brass is excellent, with an untouched golden patina. Stock is excellent overall with some light impressions and handling marks, and one very small square repair on right side around a barrel pin, but free of cracks or chips. Engraving is crisp throughout, with exception given to engraving around front sight. Mechanically fine, bore is excellent with strong rifling and a minimum of oxidation. This is an absolutely gorgeous rifle from a top quality maker. EMW
CORRECTION: There is a crack under the ramrod that runs just beyond the first ferrule, and a few minor separations at tip of forearm.
Manufacturer
Johann Wagner