Lot 71
EX RARE ROYAL GERMAN WHEEL-LOCK SPORTING RIFLE CONVERTED TO PILL LOCK FOR KING LEOPOLD I OR LEOPOLD II. An Extremely Rare Antique ROYAL German Wheel-Lock Sporting Rifle, circa. 1690-1720, Converted to 'PILL-LOCK', circa. 1815 (this technology only lasted 5-10 years). Made for King Leopold I (reigned from 1658-1705) or King Leopold II (reigned 1764-1790) of the Hapsburg/Lorraine Family. 33.5".54 cal. rifled octagon iron barrel with maker's name "F = H = F in Neuetting" inlaid in silver on the top flat of breech. The massive lock has decorative engraving and is maker signed "Jos Dunckl in Schwaz". The full stock is stable with some stress cracks, scratches and dings from use but has some of the highest quality high relief and incised decorative carving. The stock has a signature just under the flat of the cheek (see photos). The cheek side of the butt has an inlaid mother-of-pearl medallion carved with the Royal Cypher of King Leopold. The muzzle has a horn fore-end inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The sliding patch-box cover is made of wood covered in worked horn with mother-of-pearl inlays and a worked sheet silver end piece. The inside of the patch-box was filled in with lead for weight most likely when converted. The furniture is of gilt brass that is wonderfully engraved with scrolls and open work with one of the most spectacular side plates (some sections around the trigger guard area are unfortunately missing). The original trigger guard is missing and was replaced with a period replacement. The rifle is equipped with a set trigger. The rifle measures 47" overall. A fabulous gun exhibiting some of the finest skills of the period and definitely made for a King. The rifle is in good mechanical working order.
Note; This is the first Wheel-lock conversion to Pill Lock we have had the pleasure of examining. The Pill Lock form of firing technology was well ahead of it's time and was not widely accepted. (Remember, the Flintlock was at its zenith at this point). The Pill Lock required tiny pellets of detonating powder (Mercury Fulminate or Potassium Chlorate), when crushed by the fall of the hammer into the flash pan, exploded to fire the main charge of powder in the barrel of the gun. This technology was invented by Scottish clergyman, the Rev. Alexander John Forsyth, and patented by him April 11, 1807. This technology opened the door for a whole new field of possibilities.
The introduction of the percussion cap (a copper cap filled with a small amount of fulminate of mercury) was soon to follow and was being experimented with as early as 1814 and became the 'in vogue' technology from the 1830's to the 1860's. Needless to say, the Pill Lock era of about 5-10 years was over but paved the way.
The Tube Lock was patented by famous English gun maker, Joseph Manton around 1816. $10,000 - 20,000
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