This late 16th century wheellock sporting gun features a large lock with two dogs that would allow a hunter to quickly get the gun back in action should the first pyrite fail. This gun also has a very interesting octagonal barrel that turns 45 degrees seven inches from the muzzle and is smoothbore and features a blade front sight, replacement notch rear sight, and two "BW/horn" maker's marks on the upper right and upper left towards the breech. The latter is shown on page 1415 of "Der Neue Stockel" by Heer (8541) and listed as from a wheellock dating to c. 1580-1590 and may be for Bartel Wechter the Elder based on a somewhat similar mark shown on page 1360. He was active c. 1572-1591 in Dresden as a court gunmaker, barrel maker, and Coburg armory inspector. In addition to the rare engraved dogs, the flat lock is equipped with a domed engraved gilt brass wheel cover. The inside of the lock features an engraved bestial design. The single trigger has an adjustment screw at the front and is enclosed by a faceted iron guard with a ball at the rear. The fruitwood stock has extensive bone/staghorn inlays intricately engraved with bestial motifs, including a series of four masks along the forend and serpents. The side plate features a two letter cipher composed of a vertical letter "A" and a "V" flanked by the numbers "7" and "6" along with scroll patterns. A pair of green man style mask flank the barrel tang. Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection

Very good with gray patina, extensive shallow pitting throughout, most of the original gilt remaining on the brass domed wheel cover, and general overall wear. The rear barrel pin is incomplete. The stock is fine and has mild scrapes and dings, some well-executed replacement inlays, and general wear. The wheel mechanism has not been tested. Both of the double dogs have good spring tension. Overall, this is a very attractive, distinctive, and rare wheellock sporting gun.