GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
SPECTACULAR MARTINI GERMAN PATTERN SCHUETZEN RIFLE. F.R. REITZ MARTINI SCHUETZEN 10873 8.15x46 Cal. 8.15x46. Early rifle made in unidentified large cal, possibly 9.5 x 47R. Truly a mind-blowing rifle that defies an adequate description. Exceptional from one end to the other. There are so many variations of Martinis that even James Bond would be confused. Most are very similar externally and must be taken apart to determine which variation they are. This is the German style with the internal striker. This is truly an extraordinary rifle with the very best of embellishments. The buttstock is in fine condition with just fabulous deep relief carving, however small patches that were masterfully fitted to correct imperfections in the stock blank when the gun was made are discernible in the correct light. This is not uncommon in stocks with very fancy wood. The right side has an extensive panel with deep carved foliage surrounding a winged cupid with bow & arrows. The left side has 3 hunters (have to look closely for the third) in an eagle's next with mountains, dead prey, baby eagles and an eagle in flight returning to the nest with a dead animal-all fantastic life-like detail. The forearms underside is a cupid with his bow & arrows and the carved end is the head of a shaggy dog. The engraving and inlays are so over-the-top they are difficult to describe. The dogs fighting the boar look like they might jump out of the metal. The stags are also incredibly lifelike. The compiler has seen two other rifles with similar engraving that he is pretty sure are by the same hand, unfortunately the engraver is unidentified. R. Saur is inlaid in gold on the top of the receiver and "Fr. Reitz Halle" is inlaid in gold on the bbl. Saur was probably the owner while Reitz, a well known gunsmith in his own right, was the retailer. A man, possibly an Indian, with a signal horn in one hand and a spear in the other is inlaid in the bbl just in front of the action. Several different colors of gold are used while the man is probably platinum. The Bbl is 32.5" long and has small gold inlays at the muzzle end. Buttplate is finely engraved with gold inlaid borders. PROVENANCE: "Alte Scheibenwaffen" Vol. 2 pgs 80-81; "Classic German Target Arms" pgs 18-21; The Allen Hallock Schuetzen Collection. CONDITION: The overall condition of the rifle is very fine. The front sight appears correct, the bbl sight is missing while the rear sight is correct with two bands of gold inlaid and matching engraving. The bore appears excellent. Tiny chip in the forearm. Due to the lack of proof marks and the caliber we estimate this gun was made in the late 1880's and remains in extraordinary condition. Two almost imperceptible repairs are in the wood just behind the trigger guard. 50900-7 TWR (8,000-12,000)