^Lot 4311 RICHLY DECORATED GERMANIC WHEELLOCK RIFLE.

Cal. 60. S# NSN. The 30-1/2" deeply swamped unmarked octagon barrel is fitted with small "V" notch rear sight and steel bead front. Barrel tang is fitted with peep rear sight with adjustment dovetails. Wheel type lock with sliding pan cover and large pierced dog is engraved with nicely cut floral motifs and is signed "BZ" at top. Stock appears to be made of fruitwood and has some relief carved scrolls in front of classic right hand cheekpiece. Buttplate is of horn and there are some engraved brass inlays on top of comb. Side plate is brass as is trigger guard with finger grooves and spur. A fluted patchbox with horn accents at front and rear is on right butt. Stock is profusely decorated with a background of inlaid bone scrolls with floral accents which surround other bone inlays of dots and animals, mostly rabbits and dogs. On face of cheekpiece there is an oval bone inlay engraved with hunter and hound, while a family crest is on shield shaped inlay toward butt. CONDITION: good to fine. Old barrel and lock show considerable cleaning to silver gray over deep pitting. Newer stock is good showing some wear (probably artificial). Inlays remain fairly light in color without any noted losses. Bore is good with strong rifling; lightly pitted. Lock appears to be operable. PROVENANCE: Estate Collection of Nicholas Apergis. (01-27574/MGM). ANTIQUE. $5,000-8,000.