Exceptional Pair of Flintlock Rifles by Caspar Zelner

Antique Item #C4288

Exceptional Pair of Flintlock Rifles by Caspar Zelner

  • Price: $25,600.00 CAD
  • Licensing Category: Antique
  • Maker:
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  • Description:

    We are please to offer  a matched pair of flintlock rifles built by an Austrian maker early 1700's.  The maker is one Caspar Zelner, born 1661 and apprenticed in 1677 in Salzburg.  He moved to  Wienn ( Vienna) in 1690 becoming a master gunmaker in 1695.  We guess that this pair of rifles serial # 1 & 2 were built circa 1720-1730's. Both rifles are indentical.  The swamped octagonal barrels are 28 1/2", showing bright excellent 64 caliber spiral grooved bores.  Both bores rate  excellent.  Both barrel tangs are serial numbered one and two.  The barrels are mounted with two leafs on a 2" gilded base.  The lock plates are bright semi banana 5 1/2" plates engraved Caspar Zelner in Winn.  Both cocks are engraved and original to the rifles.  Both rifles show a full European stock, all fittings appear to be guilded brass and typical of this maker's preferred style and type.  The rifles appear to be stocked in European walnut carved with decorative areas surrounding the lock.  There is a cheek piece, patch holes and the old style flat bottom butt.  Both rifles show a 1 1/4" wood infill.  We presume that both rifles had a removed gold escution.  Both show original set triggers and a barracks cut above the center ram rod furrule.  Both rifles have survived in their original condition and have remained as a pair.  Close examination shows the serial #1 has had more usage that of serial #2.  The rarity of a pair of flint rifles surviving for close to 300 years is best described as amazing.  An exceptional investment grade pair of rifles.