2114 HIGHLY FINISHED PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE BY

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 May 09 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,000.00 USD
Estimated at 2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
J.L. DOTTER, MADE FOR VALENTIN NEULAND OF WURZBERG. Cal. 54 (right barrel w/twist 8 groove rifling, left with straight rifling). S# NSN. Johann Leonhardt Dotter is known to have been working in Wurzburg, Bavaira around 1844. This finely made rifle is gold inlaid with his name and address on top rib of 27" Bernard damascus barrels. Gold bands and scrolls are also found at breech ends. Rib is fitted with one standing leaf rear and gold bead front sights dovetailed through. Breeches are not vented. Breech iron is very finely scroll engraved and fitted with folding aperture rear sight; adjustable for windage and elevation. Peninsula back spring locks with uniquely filed hammers are near fully engraved with more large shaded scroll matching that found on breech iron. This scroll is unusual in that the shaded infill of the whorls appears to be that of lettuce leaves, or perhaps lichen. This interesting scroll surrounds game scenes with gold inlaid subjects. A doe jumps over fence on left lock and a buck is standing in meadow on right. Trigger plate has long spear finial with matching open scroll engraving. Front trigger is set. Trigger guard with flat front and scroll to bow has carved horn grip extension. A gold inlaid dove is on bow. Buttplate is engraved "No. II" above the name "VALENTIN NEULAND" His obituary states he was born in Wurzburg 26 August 1795 and died 13 February 1873. He was a "privatier". (Man of independent means). More foliate scroll is on long top tang. Stock of well figured European walnut has right hand Bavarian cheekpiece and is checkered at grip. Stock attaches to barrels with captive side bolt through rectangular German silver escutcheons. An ebony ramrod with horn tip and steel tail with worm mounts through two plain pipes and scroll engraved thimble. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: photocopy of Valentin Neuland's obituary. CONDITION: good. Barrel retaining some original finish where protected; pattern difficult to see. Locks and other metal parts show light cleaning to overall silver gray. Engraving remains sharp and clear. Stock retains most of its original oil finish with many marks and has some added oil. Bores are very good to fine with strong rifling throughout. Right barrel showing scattered pitting. Locks are crisp. Trigger will not set (needs adjustment). PROVENANCE: from the renowned collection of quality sporting arms from Lewis Drake together with inventory of Lewis Drake Associates. (01-26113/MGM). ANTIQUE. $2,000-3,000.