September 5-7, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/5/2023
Damascus barrels with a solid, very slightly tapering rib with bead front sight and "V. Funk & Sohne In Suhl" in gold. Gold wire at breech, and a subtler line from conversion to percussion, when barrels were cut away and percussion breeches added. Locks are extremely elaborate with floral borders, and elaborate dragon faces at the rear with silver and gold highlights. Cocks are equally elaborate, depicting mythical gryphons exploding from the screws. Locks appear to be the original locks with roller bearing frizzens still attached. Ramrod is frozen in place, retained by 2 German silver ferrules with beaded edges, rear ferrule fit with a sling stud, feeding into a reinforced mouth elaborately carved into a wolf's head. Barrel key is surrounded by a German silver escutcheon. Forearm and wrist are checkered in a basketweave pattern with elaborate sprays of scroll and florals carved into the wood. Wide German silver trigger guard protecting dual triggers has beautiful engraving consisting of floral edges, a pheasant and a duck on the trigger guard, and a finial depicting a child (perhaps a cherubim) and a hunting dog in a vignette with supporting florals and mythical creatures. Cheekpiece with elaborate scroll en suite with balance of wood. Butt with an elaborate heel finial decorated en suite to trigger guard but depicting a roe deer instead of a dog. Vacant slot on toe line for a sling stud. Accompanied by a new-made powder horn. CONDITION: Overall very good and obviously well-loved. Barrels are essentially a smooth chocolate patina with flashes of dove grey that show elaborate Damascus patterning; some wire lifting in Funk address. Locks are a smooth chocolate patina with some light areas of mild oxidation. Breeches have heavier areas of loss commensurate with heavy use with percussion caps, cocks slightly damaged at mouths from use. Stock is very good with some handling marks throughout and a splice repair on left side of butt, revarnished. Engraving is crisp and attractive throughout. Mechanically fine, bores are very good with a minimum of oxidation. This gun would have been absolutely astonishing when new. Horn is very good as new.
Accessories
Contemporary Horn
Manufacturer
V. Funk & Sohn