A GERMAN WHEEL-LOCK SPORTING RIFLE

A GERMAN WHEEL-LOCK SPORTING RIFLE, 17th century, the 29 3/4" octagonal rifled barrel with front and rear sights, action with internal wheel and plate depicting a hunt scene with a mounted huntsman firing a pistol, a pike man and dogs giving chase to a stag, the pierced and etched dog taking the form of a dragon, shaped dog spring with floral design, double set trigger with a brass scrolled trigger guard, full walnut stock with scroll and foliate carving at the breech, a cheek piece centred by a wood and bone inlaid sun burst, rear stock section with carved bone lozenges and panels showing sea monsters, hunt scenes and a town scene, sliding trap with carved bone depiction of a knight in armour and a grotesque mask, bone roundel under the action depicting St. Luke and further bone carvings to the fore-end depicting a knight in armour and faces in profile acting as ram guides and a muzzle finial, bone tipped ram and horn butt section, 41" long (Illustrated)