The silver wrist escutcheon has a ducal coronet over the initials "CA" for Karl August (aka Charles Augustus), Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (1757-1828), and the gun was part of the famous Gewehrkammer at Schloss Ettersburg. The lock is signed "ANTONI GEMEINER", and the barrel has "-A-HILDBURGHAUSEN-" in silver inlay on top. Antoni Gemeiner (Gmeiner) Jr. (1746-1816) is identified as having worked first in Hildburghausen and later in Etabliert beginning in 1775. The tapered blued barrel has seven-groove straight rifling, a silver blade front sight with silver inlaid decoration at the base, silver inlay accented scrolls at the breech end, and a bright tang with scroll engraving. The lock has rococo scrollwork as well as a stag scene. The mounts are silver and feature scroll engraving along with a scene of a dog on the trigger guard, fowl and pair of deer on the side plate, and putto with a hare on the heel. The stock features molding, scroll carving, a rectangular cheekpiece, carved grip extension, and wood patchbox cover which when opened reveals "W5" marked at the just to the front of the patchbox cavity. A sling swivel is fitted to the forend, and the corresponding stud is on the underside of the butt. The gun is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from F. Theodore Dexter listing the rifle as from the Carl August collection. Provenance: Karl August, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach; The Norman R. Blank Collection

Fine with 75% plus original blue finish remaining on the barrel, some minor oxidation/pitting, attractively aged patina on the silver inlays and mounts, mostly bright lock, crisp engraving, and minor overall wear. The stock is also fine and has crisp carving and mild scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.