October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
This ornately decorated combination gun was made around 1875, ten years before the Prince, an avid hunter, became de-facto ruler of Bavaria during its Golden Years, from 1880's through 1912. He took over the duties of his nephews King Ludwig II and King Otto, who were incapacitated. This gun has 25 - 1/2" barrels with full length rib fitted with one standing, one folding rear sight, and silver bead front. Top of rib is gold inlaid "Miller & Val Greiss Munchen" in script. 20 Gauge shotgun barrel with straight "rifling" is of Bernard Damascus steel. Rifle barrel with unusual U-shaped land rifling, is of fluid steel. Breech ends of barrels are intricately gold inlaid with floral accented tendrils surrounding cherubs holding spears and tending stag hounds. Round bodied action with front pivoting horn handled opening lever, is fitted with peninsula backspring locks with serpentine hammers. A flip-up peep rear sight is set into top tang. Action and locks are very finely semi relief engraved continuing the theme of cherubs in various poses flying in a field of delicately cut shaded scrolling acanthus. This superb engraving is surrounded by flush gold inlaid large geometric and line borders. Hammers are exquisitely relief carved with stylized lion's heads having gold eyes. Double beaded trigger guard bow is relief gold inlaid with "FL" (?) in script, surmounted by prince's crown. Trigger guard has scroll carved horn extension forming grip. Nicely marbled and stump figured European walnut buttstock measures 13 - 5/8" over checkered and engraved steel buttplate with trap, with space for one shot and two rifle cartridges under cover. Stock has panels of exceptionally well carved scrolling acanthus with fruit and floral highlights behind checkering on right side of the stock and behind and below cheekpiece on left. Captive forend is near fully checkered and attaches to barrels with captive side bolt through oval engraved steel escutcheons. Weight: 6 lbs 12 oz. CONDITION: Excellent, original, as found. Barrels retain over 80% original brown with good definition to Bernard pattern on shot barrel. Action retains a considerable amount of its original case hardening color, vivid where protected, actual percentage difficult to ascertain because of extensive engraving. Locks retain a considerable amount of their color, most visible in protected details of lions heads. Stocks retain most of their original hand rubbed oil finish, lightening in color at wear points, with numerous light marks and scratches. There is considerable chipping on forend above left escutcheon due to someone not familiar with this barrel mounting system attempting to remove forend. Bores are very fine to excellent, with some scattered pitting. Action is tight. Locks are excellent. There is some insect damage to horn parts. Included with rifle is Wikipedia information on Prince Luitpold, his son Prince Franz, and Ludwig III, all of Bavaria; Bonhams listing for this gun, and a number of original post cards and copies of photographs of the Bavarian Royal family, including the Prince Regent in hunting shots, and his son Franz. A lovely combination gun, the quality of workmanship should have pleased any royal personage. MGM 196
Caliber/Bore
20 Ga & 10.8 x 47 R Martini
Drop at Heel
approx 2 - 15/16" Drop at comb: approx 1 - 9/16"
Manufacturer
Miller & Val. Greiss