RARE LORENZONI FLINTLOCK REPEATING RIFLE. Round... Lot 14

RARE LORENZONI FLINTLOCK REPEATING RIFLE. Round barrel with beaded muzzle and sides engraved with thunderbolt foliage scrolls. Hammer and battery cocking lever on the left side, for loading a dose of powder into the pan. Breech housing with sights and pivoting lever, engraved with foliate scrolls. Internal brass rotary block. Tail plate signed "N.G" and primer powder container door engraved with scrolls. Round-bodied hammer. Chased and engraved steel fittings. Walnut stock (cracks and minor repairs to breech tail). Opening buttplate with traces of "Palle Polir" signature, screw-closing bullet magazine. Wooden ramrod with iron tip. Length: 122 cm A.B.E. (Traces of pitting and wear). Italy circa 1700. Later trigger guard and some of the engravings. Historical background: This ingenious system was developed in the late 17th century, probably by Berselli in Bologna or Wetschgi in Augsburg. Today, it is known to the most famous manufacturer of this system, Michele Lorenzoni, who was active in Florence in 1680, working for the Medici, but also for Saxon electors.