A RARE 16 BORE GERMAN AIRGUN BY CARL RUT, CARLSRUHE,... Lot n° 254

A RARE 16 BORE GERMAN AIRGUN BY CARL RUT, CARLSRUHE, DATED 1834 with octagonal sighted barrel sleeved in brass, rotating at the breech on an eccentric pivot released by a knurled bolt beneath, strike pump action with German silver spring magazine signed and dated in script between a spray of oak fruit, foliage and flowers on the top, steel tang of shaped outline incorporating an aperture for the lever (now missing) on the right, double set trigger, walnut full stock boldly impressed '129', carved with scrolls and a rest on the fore-end, chequered grip, moulded butt en suite with the fore-end and iron mounts including trigger-guard and butt cap (the iron parts pitted throughout, ramrod incomplete), 68.2 cm barrel Provenance The property of a European Nobleman, by direct descent from the Grand Duke of Baden, sold in this room 4th December 2013, lot 399. Other airguns of this date signed 'Rutte in Bohm.' are recorded in the Berlin Zeughaus, see Feldhaus 1905, p. 368-9 and Wolff 1958, p. 179.