November 3-4, 2017 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/3/2017
Circa 1720. Two-stage smoothbore steel barrel with swamped muzzle, top flat marked "IHS MARIA JOSEF" and surrounded by stamped stars. Steel miquelet lock with engraved faces and lockplate, decorated with florals and scrolls, front of frizzen decorated en suite and stamped with maker's cartouche "VI/LAP/DEIL", back of lock retains an original red velvet and leather cover at the rear of lock, secured by three silver star-shaped rivets. Steel triggerguard with a four-pedaled flower engraved on bow. Full length walnut stock decorated with inlaid panels of intricate pierced silverwork, fastened by small silver pins. Pierced silver barrel band towards muzzle assists in securing barrel and is held in place by a spring. Wooden ramrod with turned silver cap. Molded silver buttcap inlaid with a large convex panel of tortoise shell. Excellent condition, steel components have been cleaned and retain a light grey patina with some scattered dark spotting. Silver retains a mellow, unpolished patina and stock is excellent with a few scattered marks from use. Overall length is 15". This is an unusually fine example, with extensive silver decoration, engraving, and a tortoise shell buttcap. Examples this finely decorated are scarcely encountered. This item is from the collection of, described by, and authenticated by Herbert G. Ratner, Jr.
Caliber/Bore
.55 Smoothbore