April 9th & 10th Premier Firearms Sale (MFIRE)
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/9/2016
20 bore with a 34-1/2” barrel. Manufactured by master gunsmith John Rieger of Munich who operated a gun shop there from 1843 - 1855. He is documented as a gun maker to the crown and made guns for King Ludwig. This firearm was obtained by the OSS Officer in charge of firearm confiscation stationed at Ludwig Castle at the end of the Second World War and sent this gun home to himself where it has been in the same collection since 1945. It is very unusual double hammer gun that works much like a flint lock and utilizes a flash pan but the striker is metal and has mechanism on both sides. This is the first of this type that we have seen. Features octagon to round barrels, the maker is signed on both side plates, double trigger, beautifully incised and carved walnut stock with an extremely ornate and engraved brass trigger guard and rear for-end thimble, rollover cheek piece, ornately engraved brass butt plate, stock carving at top of wrist and for-end, sling swivels, and original oak rod. Metal is basically a gray patina. Locks and hammer are lightly engraved and stocks are excellent with piano finish. Fine working order. Breathtaking mid -19th century German fowling piece.