A SPLENDID GILT MOUNTED BOHEMIAN WHEELLOCK SPORTING RIFLE BY PAUL POSER IN PRAG

A SPLENDID GILT MOUNTED BOHEMIAN WHEELLOCK SPORTING RIFLE BY PAUL POSER IN PRAG.

01-21902
Circa 1720
Cal. 60
NSN

The blued oct bbl swamped at the muzzle and elaborately inlaid at the breech with gold strap work. Signed within a rectangular gold reserve “POSER BRACH” and within a gold reserve a deeply sunken poincon. The folding rear sight of gilded brass and above it, a standing armored warrior in gilt brass holding a halberd. The tang engraved “2”. The flat lock with internal wheel finely engraved throughout with a hunting scene and a village in the background, hunters and their hounds signed “PAUL POSER A PRAG”. The cock finely relief chiseled with a toothed monster and pierced, this work possibly by master steel chiseler Franz Matzenkoff with whom Poser worked closely. The mounts of fire gilded brass comprising brass mounted wood patchbox cast and chased in relief with elaborate scenes of the chase. The triggerguard with strap work and a stag in a reserve. The comb of the butt with a helmeted warrior. The sideplate with Diana the Huntress in a woodland landscape. The buttplate of gilt brass engraved with a stag and doe. The highly figured light walnut full stock relief carved with strap work in particularly elegant style throughout. Set trigger.

NOTE: Paul Poser is regarded as one of the finest Bohemian gunmakers of the early 18th century and closely collaborated with the renowned steel chiseler Matzenkoff. This rifle is a fine example of a wheelock rifle that once belonged in a princely European gewehrkammer, possibly the Prince von Lobkowtiz.

STATUS: ANTIQUE