^Lot 2246 HAMMER DOUBLE RIFLE BY CHRISTIAN PAULI WITH CASE.

Cal. 11.15x60R (43 Mauser). S#. 9840 (found on replaced forend). The 25-3/4" barrels are gold inlaid with maker's name and "MUNSTER" on full length matted rib holding "V" notch rear and silver bead front sights. Gold bands are at breech ends. Bottoms of barrels are unproofed (pre-1891). Round bodied top lever action is fitted with peninsula back spring locks having serpentine rebounding hammers. Action and lock plates are fully engraved with very nicely cut semi-relief shaded scroll. This superb scroll surrounds game scenes with fat tiger cat on left side of action and stag on right. Left lockplate depicts an otter eating fish while a boar is being chased by a hound on right. Both triggers are set. Trigger guard is horn. Horn capped pistol grip buttstock of well veined European walnut measures 14-3/8" over checkered horn buttplate and features a nicely swept right hand cheekpiece and point pattern grip checkering. Replacement custom made forend has Deeley type release. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: rifle is housed in new green canvas tan leather trimmed case with leather corners; lined in green felt. A reproduction Pauli label is in lid. Case contains: plated square oil bottle, snap caps and 2 tins; 1 containing grease, 1 patches. CONDITION: fair to good. Barrel is brown patina. Action is also smooth and brown. Engraving detail remains fine. Stocks retain most of an old, possibly original, oil finish. Grip checkering shows considerable wear. Replaced uncheckered forend shows old oil finish and fits fairly well but is unengraved. Bores are good; dirty with strong rifling (may clean). Action is slightly loose. Locks are good. Triggers will set. Case is fine "near new". Accessories corroded. PROVENANCE: From the Buckstix Collection. (01-28613/MGM). ANTIQUE. $2,500-3,500.