Lot Nr.1047

A rare drop-barrel breech-loading snaphaunce rifle,

Michael Gull in Vienna, circa 1660. Octagonal barrel, slightly constricted in the middle (sanded surface) with nine-groove rifled bore in 14 mm calibre. Dovetailed sights with a double folding rear sight. Engraved signature on the breech. At the bottom of the lock a latched breaking mechanism. Inserted in the barrel a peculiar loadable cartridge with the frizzen on the side. Frame with floral engravings, engraved cock with exterior trigger spring. Set trigger. Walnut stock, the lid of the patch box made from greenish horn. Nose and ramrod thimbles made from greenish horn and bone. Original wooden ramrod with horn tip and iron thread socket. Length 103 cm.
Michael Gull, mentioned 1647 - 1679, was a specialist for breech-loading weapons and manufactured, amongst other things, a wheellock rifle with an ivory stock for Kaiser Leopold I. of Austria, which today is kept in the Hofjagd- und Rüstkammer (Collection of Arms and Armour) of the Viennese court.
Provenance: Keith Neal Collection, Christies, November 1995, lot 76. Depicted in: Arne Hoff, Feuerwaffen II, p. 216. Mentioned as the first known break-action rifle in: J.F. Hayward, Die Kunst der Büchsenmacher, p. 135.

Condition: II

Limit: 6500 EURO

13500 EURO