November 21st & 22nd 2015 Fine Art, Antiques, Estate Jewelry
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/21/2015
16 bore with 30" barrels. Offered is an ornate side by side fowling piece manufactured by the famous Franz Kettner Gunsmithing Firm located in Cologne, Germany. It features 30" barrels in 16 bore. Left barrel is choked full and the right is choked modified. The barrels are manufactured Damascus patterned rolled steel. The rib has inlaid in gold "Canon Damas Turc". There are double gold bands at breach, a gold owner plaque at tang. Gun sports double hammers and double triggers with a 14-1/4" LOP to front trigger. Fine working order. Left sideplate stamped in gold "F. Kettner" in oval. Right sideplate stamped "In Coln" in gold oval. The trigger guard and buttplate are made from carved horn. Beautiful walnut stock features lovely engraving on forend, wrist, and on the left side rollover cheek piece. Stock is in excellent condition retaining its original finish, and is not cracked, but does have some chipping at bottom of stock and is missing the horn forend tip. This smooth bore is equipped with sling swivels. Ramrod is a metal replacement. Sideplates and hammers have light engraving. Bores are very good but do have usual black powder abrasions. No visible soldering repairs. There are only two visible dents in the barrel and both are extremely minor. Walls are relatively thin and muzzle of left barrel is slightly non-concentric. Action is perfect. The Kettner Gunmaking Firm was established in 1835 in Cologne, the fourth largest city in Germany, and three generations of Kettners worked in this shop. All three were named 'Franz'.