^Lot 2101 F. W. KESSLER ENGRAVED GERMANIC MARTINI ACTIONED

FALLING BLOCK STALKING RIFLE. Cal. 8.15X46R. S# 11644 A. Bbl. 31" heavy tapered octagon with dovetailed bead front sight having protective wings and clock key style adjustments for the sight within the base plus for the base itself; rear of barrel has 9 1/4" long 16MM wide grooved section for scope installation. Sling swivel mounted to bottom of barrel about 1/2 way between forend tip and muzzle. Tang portion of action has a target sight with 2 1/4" diameter sighting disc; clock key style adjustments. Underside of barrel under forend has BUG proofs, "7434", and "7,6"; left barrel flat at rear has "8.15X46 Norm.". Rifle is without any visible markings; engraver's name supplied by consignor. Kessler's mark is usually a "K" with "F" and "W" inside; no such mark observed. Kessler (1845-1919 working in Suhl) was well known for his work on double rifles, drillings and shotguns; this type of firearm is not common for him. Engraving is a deeply carved floral design with numerous vignettes of people plus heads as if looking out from a wall. Left side of receiver has a nobleman with rifle dressed in a billowing outfit having plumage on his hat. Right side has a corresponding female image. Face of triggerguard has head view of mustached hunter wearing European style hunting hat. Bottom front of receiver has backside image in the style of a naked cherub holding a peace wreath. Action has ornate lever that is also fully engraved with checkering on its lower back side to facilitate functioning. Fitted with double set triggers, knurled headed breech block takedown pin and a small lever behind main operating lever for the purpose of removing the lower portion of the action which contains trigger assembly and operating lever. Stock is also finely carved and checkered having a raised scalloped cheekpiece to easily align with sights. Right side of buttstock has oak leaf carving along with a spike horned deer head. Integral to the buttstock is a prominent right handed thumb rest. Carvings and checkering are borderless and of the highest order of workmanship. Left side carving is similar with a leaping large antlered deer going through a forest. Fitted with a sling swivel and bottom hooked steel buttplate that is also engraved. The rifle is a cross between a light target rifle and a stalking rifle. Total weight is 12 pounds and LOP is 13" to front trigger. Uncheckered forend is wedge retained having flared side panels at rear that are scroll carved as is the rounded nose. CONDITION: good overall appearance with some cleaned peppery oxidation on the barrel having more oxidation on side flats below the wood line. Entire action assembly is in the white with a dull patina tone. Buttplate has an even brown patina. Stock set has commensurate handling marks plus a fine forend crack on the top left front. Some stock edges have very light chips being most noticeable on left side of forend. Checkering on left side of wrist area has a longitudinal section of flattened diamond tops. Proper functioning action. Good bore with even light frosting. (26-2524/NW). CURIO. $1,200-1,800.