April 9th & 10th Premier Firearms Sale (MFIRE)
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/9/2016
Cal .60 rifle, Barrel length 36”. Wheelocks were invented at the beginning of 16th century. They were typically sporting arms owned by the upper class. Several similar designed Bavarian rifles date to the early 18th century. This example has a rifled octagon barrel with a dovetailed blade front and folding leaf notch rear sights and is marked “HannS [inset golden touch mark] Winckbler” on the top flat behind the rear sight. The lock plate is engraved “FRANZ: LUCAS: NAGELE/A MUNCHEN” (produced in Munich). The large dog also has a design that makes the upper and lower jaw only visible from the left side. It has double set triggers (front trigger partially gone) and is fitted on a full length stock with a distinctive butt with large patch box and a horn for-end cap. The barrel, action and trigger assembly are all iron while the remaining furniture including the elaborate finger rest trigger guard are brass. The iron components are plain while the brass furniture features detailed engraving. Most of the scenes display hunters and/or game but there is also a woman with a flag on the front of the patch box and a mermaid on the trigger guard. It includes a ramrod with brass tip. This rifle does not have the crank. Is a lovely example of German craftsmanship dated in the mid -17th century. Extremely difficult to find nice examples in the United States as most reside in European museums and personal collections. A rare opportunity to own an ornate sporting rifle that predates the founding of the American colonies.