April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
Formerly in the collection of Secretary of the Treasury William E. Simon. One of the finest and most remarkable wheelock guns in America, this magnificent rifle has been convincingly attributed to Georg Maucher by the curator emeritus of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Stuart W. Pyhrr. Superlatives are entirely appropriate in describing this true work of art firearm. The 34" .64 caliber octagonal barrel with 16 groove rifling is unengraved and plain, so as not to detract from the incredible carving on the dark walnut full stock. The flat lockplate has a wheel cover engraved with two large breasted angels. The pierced, articulated cock is engraved with a helmeted warrior atop a monster. The cock spring is finely detailed and filed. The steel trigger guard with three finger grooves is relatively plain except for minor sparse engraving. The steel buttplate is plain as well so as not to detract from the wood carving. The dark walnut full stock is entirely carved in relief with various scenes. The forends are in relief with hunting scenes, animals facing other animals. In front of the lock is a nude female figure cavorting with animals. Stock is carved with a monster's head where the ramrod enters in place of a ramrod pipe. The bottom of the stock is carved with foliage and relief, and a rabbit at base. Opposite the lock, the stock depicts a hunter in 16th century period costume spearing a magnificent stag as it is harried by three hunting dogs. The patchbox cover is carved with a woman playing a lyre to animals including a boar, stag, unicorn, doe, horse, lion, dog, rabbit and, most remarkably, an elephant. More hunting scenes and superbly carved foliage cover the upper edge of the stock. Most importantly, the cheek rest is carved with a crowned king holding an orb and scepter, seated in a chariot drawn by two horses. The inside of the cheek rest is carved with a game scene depicting a hunter holding a spear and accompanied by his three hounds as they attack a vicious wild boar. It is believed that this rifle is one of four, each depicting a different continent. One in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna has "ASIA" carved along the edge of the stock. Another is the Dresden Museum is carved "AMERICA", and one in the Metropolitan is carved "AFRICA". This rifle is, doubtless, the fourth in the series, although it is not signed or carved with "EUROPA". In addition to the fabulous carving, this rifle has superb scrimshawed mounts with the forend tip depicting naked figures holding shields. CONDITION: Barrel has been scrubbed bright in the European manner and the lockplate is cleaned to bright as well. Set trigger functions correctly. Stock has an extremely minor piece of forend replaced at juncture with the engraved forend tip, one-quarter of the left side of the engraved forend tip is replaced. The wood itself has only minor wear and the carving is still extremely crisp. This splendid rifle is accompanied by original letters from the Metropolitan Museum of Art attributing the work to Georg Maucher as well as a letter from the legendary dealer in fine European guns, Eric Vaule, to the director of the Schwabisch Gmund Museum. This is a unique opportunity to acquire one of the finest wheelock rifles in existence. PROVENANCE: The Honorable William E. Simon; Eric Vaule.
Manufacturer
Georg Maucher