December 16, 17, & 18, 2025 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/17/2025
This luxurious double rifle was manufactured as part of a stand of nearly identical sporting arms circa 1860s for Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. Gun is numbered "6" of the stand in gold on the breech and on the tang. Tang also has the gold inlaid crowned "FJ" monogram of Franz Joseph I. Barrel rib is signed in gold "JOH SPRINGER VORM. NOWOTNY IN WIEN" for master gunmaker and engraver Johann Springer, who operated his own firm in Vienna beginning in 1857 after his apprenticeship. The Emperor purchased numerous arms from Springer and in 1872 awarded him the prestigious Imperial and Royal Warrant of Appointment as Purveyor to the Imperial and Royal Court for gunmaking (K.u.K. Hofkammer-Gewehrlieferant). The emperor, a lover of the hunt, was photographed with nearly identical arms as this rifle. The barrels are very fine etched Damascus with fine straight line rifling and a single bead front sight. Intertwined gold bands are inlaid ahead of the sculpted breeches which have rosette plugs and a low relief engraved snipe between the hammers. Face of the hammers is engraved with the face of a bearded man, the remainder engraved with shaded foliate scroll. Stepped, bar-in-wood side locks engraved en suite with foliate scroll, as well as whimsical hermit face motifs at the front of each side plate. Right side engraved "SPRINGER" below the hammer, left "IN WIEN". Locks are fitted with hammer block safeties. Double triggers with a very well executed hunting dog and rabbit scene on the trigger guard which has a figural horn extension. Figured walnut stock formed well with a checkered wrist and shadow lined European cheek piece. Mounts are engraved steel, the butt plate with an additional whimsical tiger head motif. Rifle retains its German silver tipped ram rod and what appears to be its original leather sling retained by horn buttons. CONDITION: Excellent. Metal is bright with crisp engraving and well defined Damascus patterning. Some scattered older oxidation spots present from storage, the butt plate showing a more significant area of oxidation. Nipples retain strong traces of original nitre blue. Stock is fine with some scattered light field impressions, a few larger dings on the right side. Strong bores. Crisp mechanics. An outstanding Imperial Austrian rifle from the arms stand of Franz Joseph I.