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A RARE 18 BORE SAXON WHEEL-LOCK CARBINE, DATED 1588 with three-stage sighted barrel, engraved with pairs of lines behind the muzzle, the median formed of triangular panels with characteristic hemi-spherical recesses at the base, dated over the breech section, stamped with the barrelsmith's marks (Neue Støckel 512), initials and a series of small decorative marks, and with a sighting groove (light pitting), flat lock stamped en suite with the breech, fitted with domed wheel-cover, sliding pan-cover with button release, blued fence, safety-catch and lightly engraved dog, blackened full stock, inlaid with engraved stag horn plaques including marine monsters over the fore-end, opposite the lock, and about the barrel tang, a panel of foliage over the spine of the butt, all within horn segmental lines, the butt with shaped cheek-piece on the left and patchbox fitted with sliding cover veneered en suite on the right, stag horn butt-plate (one small panel on the butt replaced, the stock with areas of bruising and scratches), steel trigger-guard shaped for the fingers, blued trigger-plate, engraved stag horn ramrod pipe, engraved stag horn fore-end cap, and original ramrod with engraved stag horn tip 83.5cm; 32 7/8in
Zacharias Herold is recorded 1586-1618. He was the son of Hans Herold, and part of a large family of gunmakers in Dresden that were active in the 16th and 17th Centuries. He is recorded delivering large quantities of fine firearms to the Electoral armouries as well as making a number of more standard pieces. See J. F. Hayward 1962, p. 87 and D. Schaal 1975, p. 32.
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