Item Description
Original Item: One of a Kind. This is a magnificent late 18th Century German Double Barrel Flintlock Sporting Carbine, marked on the lock by maker TANNER A LAUTERBACH, for maker I S Tanner, listed as a Büchsenmacher (gun maker) in Lauterbach, Germany. There are several areas in Germany with this name, and this is specifically the one in Hesse, pretty much in the center of modern day Germany. This is a known maker of bespoke guns during the late 18th century, and this is the first example by this maker that we have ever had.
This hunting carbine is double barreled, arranged "over and under", and it also features a swivel at the breech so that the barrels "turnover", required as there is only one lock. These are referred to by several different ways, and there were several ways they could be executed. This example has a standard "side action" style lock, except that the hammer portion is to the rear of the swivel, while the pan and frizzen mechanism is forward of the swivel, with one on each side. The front of the brass trigger guard is the release lever for the swivel, which can only be moved at half or full cock.
The gun features two 19 1/8 inch long .54 caliber octagon octagon barrels with heavy seven groove rifling, and has an overall length of 34 5/8 inches. It is fitted with brass, and features some fantastic carved designs on the stock wood, typical of German firearms made during this period. There is also some lovely silver inlay work near the breeches of both barrels. The wood on the fore stock area between the barrels has some lovely floral decorations, and there are brass escutcheons around the securing screws. One side is set up for a ramrod, with brass pipes and a horn fitted ramrod with an iron screw fitting on the narrow end, while the other side has a small ring for a sling look.
The butt stock is even more decorated, with some lovely checkering around the wrist, and some fantastic carved designs around the fittings, particularly around the cheek piece on the left side. There is a patch box on the right side, which has some lovely brass ornaments, and has a lovely shell carved into the top of it. The trim on the brass butt plate is truly lovely, and there is also a silver escutcheon with the initials THR engraved into it. A huge amount of man hours were involved in decorating this fantastic piece.
As with most hunting guns, this example is fitted with a "set trigger", where depressing the rear trigger first until it clicks and just touching the front trigger discharges the weapon, hopefully with great accuracy. It is fully functional at present, with setting the rear trigger being quite well adjusted. The lock does have a functional half cock position, and the lock will fire without setting the rear trigger, but it takes a much longer trigger pull. We did check the bores on the gun, and both are still in great shape, showing strong rifling with a partly bright finish. One barrel definitely has a bit more oxidation and past fouling than the other, but both are in great shape considering the age. Both touch holes are also open as well.
Overall condition is truly great, showing a lovely aged patina from centuries of being well cared for. This would make a fantastic edition to any collection of antique firearms. Ready to display!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1750-1800
Caliber: .54"
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 19 1/8 inches
Overall Length: 34 5/8 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
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- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.
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