MAGNIFICENT AND UNIQUE PAIR OF WHEEL LOCK RIFLES BY THE MEISTER DER TIERKOPFRANKE SIGNED “MSH”, DATED 1631 EX COLLECTION OF HIS MAJESTY KING LEOPOLD OF BELGIUM.

MAGNIFICENT AND UNIQUE PAIR OF WHEEL LOCK RIFLES BY THE MEISTER DER TIERKOPFRANKE SIGNED “MSH”, DATED 1631 EX COLLECTION OF HIS MAJESTY KING LEOPOLD OF BELGIUM. SN NSN. Listed in the article on the Master of the Animal Scrolls by Dr. Hans Schedlemann as being in the collection of his Majesty, King Leopold of Belgium. This pair of rifles represents an unparalleled offering to collectors of high art wheel lock rifles. Emanating directly from a royal collection, their pedigree and provenance is guaranteed. Locks are relatively plain and austere. Wheel covers pierced with two mythical figures and the dog spring finely filed. Dog itself is sculpted in plain steel. Oct bbls are rifled with two leaf rear sight and brass fore sight. Dated on the flats “1631”. “M” on right flat, “S” on left flat, “H” on tang. Stocks of these rifles are superbly carved with winged griffons, a crowned lion indicative of royal pedigree, serpents, stag, hounds, and florals in high relief. Quality of the carving and condition almost appears to be molded, the carving is that good. Heightening the artistic effect of these marvelous rifles is white stag horn beautifully scrimshawed and white stag horn curls. Cheekpiece features a mother of pearl rondel scrimshawed with a spear surrounded by white stag horn pearls and stars. Patchbox is carved with two heads spewing from florals. NOTES: Often weapons are referred to as fit for royalty. This extraordinary pair of wheel lock rifles actually belonged to the King of Belgium. PROVENANCE: Austrian private collection. Collection of His Majesty King Leopold of Belgium as of 1973. Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. Publication: “Arms & Armor” by Robert Held pg 186, figs 8a & 8b. Text pg 189 #8. CONDITION: Overall condition is virtually identical and exactly what one would expect from weapons having been stored in a royal collection. Lock is bright polished with no discernible erosion or pitting. Bbls exhibit staining but no erosion or pitting. Condition of stock inlay and carving would be characterized as pristine, untouched with only a few minor storage dents that do not detract from the miraculous condition of these rifles. Any pair of decorated wheel lock pistols is rare, but pairs of decorated wheel lock rifles are almost non-existent. 4-50125 MZ22 (50,000-150,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2464	$51,750.00	MAGNIFICENT AND UNIQUE PAIR OF WHEEL LOCK RIFLES BY THE MEISTER DER TIERKOPFRANKE SIGNED “MSH”, DATED 1631 EX COLLECTION OF HIS MAJESTY KING LEOPOLD OF BELGIUM. SN NSN. Listed in the article on the Master of the Animal Scrolls by Dr. Hans Schedlemann as being in the collection of his Majesty, King Leopold of Belgium. This pair of rifles represents an unparalleled offering to collectors of high art wheel lock rifles. Emanating directly from a royal collection, their pedigree and provenance is guaranteed. Locks are relatively plain and austere. Wheel covers pierced with two mythical figures and the dog spring finely filed. Dog itself is sculpted in plain steel. Oct bbls are rifled with two leaf rear sight and brass fore sight. Dated on the flats “1631”. “M” on right flat, “S” on left flat, “H” on tang. Stocks of these rifles are superbly carved with winged griffons, a crowned lion indicative of royal pedigree, serpents, stag, hounds, and florals in high relief. Quality of the carving and condition almost appears to be molded, the carving is that good. Heightening the artistic effect of these marvelous rifles is white stag horn beautifully scrimshawed and white stag horn curls. Cheekpiece features a mother of pearl rondel scrimshawed with a spear surrounded by white stag horn pearls and stars. Patchbox is carved with two heads spewing from florals. NOTES: Often weapons are referred to as fit for royalty. This extraordinary pair of wheel lock rifles actually belonged to the King of Belgium. PROVENANCE: Austrian private collection. Collection of His Majesty King Leopold of Belgium as of 1973. Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. Publication: “Arms & Armor” by Robert Held pg 186, figs 8a & 8b. Text pg 189 #8. CONDITION: Overall condition is virtually identical and exactly what one would expect from weapons having been stored in a royal collection. Lock is bright polished with no discernible erosion or pitting. Bbls exhibit staining but no erosion or pitting. Condition of stock inlay and carving would be characterized as pristine, untouched with only a few minor storage dents that do not detract from the miraculous condition of these rifles. Any pair of decorated wheel lock pistols is rare, but pairs of decorated wheel lock rifles are almost non-existent. 4-50125 MZ22 (50,000-150,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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