Manufactured circa 1862. The horizontal pinfire was patented by August L. Lenoir circa 1849 and utilizes a horizontal internal pin instead of a protruding perpendicular pin. These types of pinfire shotguns are an extremely rare find in today's collector market. The barrels are Damascus and the solid concave rib has a single bead sight and "C. KUNZE IN WIEHE" inlaid in silver. The receiver, trigger guard, under break lever and forend tip feature a scroll engraving. Engraved game scenes are also featured on the upper tang (a fox) and trigger guard (a game bird). The trigger guard also has a horn extension. The nicely figured a straight grip stock features a checkered wrist, cheekpiece, thin horn buttplate and a scroll carving at the rear of the cheekpiece. The nicely figured smooth forearm has a large inlay engraved with a crown crest. Length of pull is 13 1/2 inches. Includes a contemporary display of two very rare horizontal pinfire shotgun shells.
Good as refinished. The rebrowned barrels retain half of the Damascus showing a smooth brown patina on the balance with an area of deep pitting (right barrel). The remaining metal surfaces have a smooth dark gray patina with a crisp engraving. The trigger guard extension has a hairline crack. The refinished wood has a repaired sliver of wood on the forearm and a few minor handing marks with overall crisp checking. The action needs minor work as the barrels do not fully open.
There are currently no customer product questions on this lot