.50 caliber. 28" octagonal barrel length. SN: NSN. Bright metal finish. Walnut cheekstock has carved rococo style scroll with intertwined animal head motifs overall to butt, forearm, and patchbox cover. Snaphance action rifle with neoclassical notch rear sight and fleur-de-lis brass blade front sight. Item features a patchbox on right side. Forearm has cast brass fittings with serpent head filigree including sideplate and forend cap. Triggerguard and fitting to top of wrist are cast brass with grotesque motifs. Left side face of buttstock has a circular Arabesque filigree fitting with carved elk horn center, similar to the style attributed to 17th century gun stocker Meister der Tierkopfranke. Comb and bottom edge of cheek rest are fitted with cast brass geometric knotwork panels, similar to the fitting on left side face. Buttplate is cast brass with some filigree around grotesque figures and a Turk's head ball rest. Included with item is a brass tip wood ramrod with attachment in patchbox. 

Meister der Tierkopfranke (Master of the Animal-Head Scroll) was an anonymous gun stock maker active from about 1624 to 1659 based on when his earliest and latest known works were produced. He is believed to have been in the employ of the Imperial Court of Vienna. Known for crafting highly detailed gun stocks, his style consisted of finely carved scrollwork with tendrils that would often end in animal heads, and deep relief backgrounds detailed with stippling and foliage. 

Made in 2014.