Beschreibung:

A FINE PAIR OF 36-BORE VIENNESE FLINTLOCK SPORTING RIFLES MADE FOR A PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF HOHENZOLLERN, BY CASPAR ZELNER, CIRCA 1725 each with swamped octagonal barrel rifled with seven grooves, signed in gold within a gold linear panel, this in turn extending from a pattern of interlaced scrollwork inlaid in gold over the breech, gilt-brass fore-sight fitted within a matching gold scrollwork pattern, gilt-brass back-sight with one folding leaf and finely chiselled with a small scrollwork design framing a bust portrait medallion, that of a Prinz and a Prinzessin respectively, and one barrel retaining most of its original blued finish, the barrel tangs cut with scrolls and numbered 1&2 in stylised scrollwork numerals, each with bevelled lock signed in miniscules behind the cock, inscribed "In Wienn" between the arms of the steel-spring, the respective locks decorated with differing two-part deer-hunting scenes finely chiselled in low relief on a matted ground, the cock en suite and the steel and the top-jaw of the cock each chiselled with scrolls, figured walnut full stock carved with a series of decorative mouldings in low relief, the butt with raised cheek-piece and finely carved on both sides with delicate relief designs of interlaced C-scrolls, inset with gilt-brass relief scrollwork plaques about the barrel tang and at the base of the cheek-piece, each inhabited by hares and hounds, a further scrollwork plaque inset on the underside of the butt, involving a bust portrait, that of a Prinz and Prinzessin respectively, the respective patch-box covers encased in gilt-brass decorated with differing stag-hunting scenes en suite with the locks, with elaborate full gilt-brass mounts finely cast in low relief, also en suite with the locks and the inset series of plaques, the respective butt-plates and trigger-guards with complemental differences, one butt-plate involving the engraved seated figure of a Prinzessin and a doe, the figures of Diana and Cupid in low relief within the upper tang, the other engraved with a Prinz and a stag, the figure of Acteon in relief above, the respective trigger-guards each with a corresponding portrait figure cast in low relief on the bow and a bust portrait medallion at the finial, each with solid side-plate decorated with a deer-hunting scene involving a female figure in contemporary hunting costume, engraved faceted ramrod-pipes, the respective rearward pipes also cast with male and female portrait medallions, gilt-brass fore-end caps with further deer-hunting scenes cast in relief, again different, each with double set trigger on an engraved iron plate, and gilt-brass escutcheon cast with the quartered arms of Hohenzollern on an crowned eagle, suspending the Danish Order of the Elephant, with pierced Wildman supporters and the crown of a Prince of the Holy Roman Empire (one steel chipped, one top-jaw, jaw screw and both ramrods missing) 74.5 cm; 29¼ in barrels (2)