GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
TRULY EXTRAORDINARY STIEGELE MARTINI SCHUETZEN RIFLE BY LANG. LANG MARTINI SCHUETZEN NSN 8.15x46 Cal. 8.15x46. The best guesses on this rifle are that Lane bought the rifle from Stiegele's supplier or Lang bought it from Stiegele and had his name put on it. Whatever, it is a rifle exhibiting the very finest craftsmanship and ornamentation that it is possible to include on a rifle. The buttstock has full coverage of quality carving. On the right side in a large panel is a shooter and a target that is fantastic. The left side and cheek piece are also carved with a cherub and his bow & arrow surrounded by a foliate design. The forearm is also carved with the end being a dog's head. The engraving on the action is in keeping with the superior quality of the rifle. It is interesting to compare the quality of this engraving with that produced by the best American engravers of the period such as Ulrich and Nimschke. The right side of the action shows Diana the Huntress and a lifelike dog. The left side shows a target boy, target and early shooter; again with very life-like figures. The bbl is 29" long and stamped with a "V" indicating that it was made pre-1891 when the proof laws were enacted. It shows a very deluxe fluted style and is still chambered for the early cartridge. Most have been relined. The cartridge is possibly the 9.5x47R, but has not been checked. The top of the bbl is inlaid in gold "Andr. Lang Pfarrkirchen" (a town in Bavaria). His name is surrounded by two cherubs and fantastic inlays in both platinum and gold. The rear sight is correct as is the front sight, but one of the protective ears of the front sight is broken and missing. This rifle is a true showpiece. PROVENANCE: "Alte Scheibenwaffen" Vol. 2 pgs 212-213; "Classic German Target Arms" pgs. 56-59; The Allen Hallock Schuetzen Collection. CONDITION: Extremely fine. Some case colors remain on the action. Buttstock shows very minor dents, etc. from handling. Bbl blue is very good. As mentioned the front sight has one ear broken off. Bore is excellent. 50900-14 TWR (10,000-15,000)