‡ A 20 BORE CONTINENTAL D.B. FLINTLOCK SPORTING... Lot n° 273

‡ A 20 BORE CONTINENTAL D.B. FLINTLOCK SPORTING CARBINE IN THE FRENCH TASTE, CIRCA 1790-1800 with blued barrels formed in three stages the muzzles decorated with a gold band and fitted beneath with short spring bayonet with sprung locking catch, fitted with copper alloy fore-sight on a ground of gilt sun rays, engraved and gilt with trophies-of-arms and further ornament at the breeches, the latter stamped ‘EX’, burnished tang incorporating the back-sight, burnished stepped bevelled locks fitted with cocks en suite (one cracked through, its upper half detached) and steel springs with rollers, figured walnut three-quarter stock, chequered fore-end and grip, the butt with raised cheek-piece on the left, burnished steel mounts including butt-cap with acorn finial on the tang, trigger-guard incorporating a baluster and with finial en suite with the tang, rear ramrod-pipe incorporating catch for the bayonet, and horn-tipped ramrod, perhaps the original, 59.7 cm barrels Provenance The Hanoverian Royal Gunroom (Inv. No. 15) Schloss Marienburg, sold Sotheby's 5th-15th October 2005, lot 863 Literature Inventar der Königliche Gewehr- und Waffenkammer 1895, inv. nr.15