DEKORIERT RADSCHLOSSBÜCHSE ARQUEBUS AUS DEM ZEITRAUM DES KAISERS LEOPOLD, SPÄTES 17. JHDT.
Origin: Austrian Empire, emperor Leopold I armory.
A highly ornamented wheel lock with double-headed Austrian eagle, floral and zoomorphic motifs. Dog in shape of bird (Phoenix?) and head of dragon swallowing another dragon. Wooden stock carved with hunting scenes. Wooden handguard with bone inlays. Octagonal barrel.
Leopold I, (born June 9, 1640, Viennadied May 5, 1705, Vienna) Holy Roman emperor during whose lengthy reign (16581705) Austria emerged from a series of struggles with the Turks and the French to become a great European power, in which monarchical absolutism and administrative centralism gained ascendancy.
Length 112 cm.
Composite piece. Barrel probably from other rifle, adapted to the stock and lock. Stock under the barrel reconstructed, join visible on pictures.
Condition report: good overall condition with amount of wear according to the age. Wood under the barrel of the later date, well done reconstruction, connection place shown on pictures.
Provenance: Czernys auction house, later in private collection.