A PAIR OF 22 BORE BAVARIAN FLINTLOCK SPORTING RIFLES BY CHRISTOPH JOSEPH FREY IN MUNCHEN, DATED 1

A PAIR OF 22 BORE BAVARIAN FLINTLOCK SPORTING RIFLES BY CHRISTOPH JOSEPH FREY IN MUNCHEN, DATED 1736 with blued barrels formed in the `Spanish` fashion, rifled with eight grooves, fitted with silver `spider` fore-sights, signed `C. J Frey in Mynchen` in gold over the breeches, stamped with the brass-lined barrelsmith`s mark (Neue Støckel 398) within a gold scrollwork frame at the breeches, gold-lined vents, and each retained by a pierced engraved gilt-brass band, scroll-engraved tangs engraved with the gun numbers `1` and `2` respectively and also the number `2`, engraved rounded locks signed on the front beneath the upper portion of the steel spring and decorated with scenes from the chase, figured walnut full stocks with moulded fore-ends, a bouquet of flowers behind the tangs, raised cheek-pieces carved with a spray of rococo flowers and foliage behind, chequered grips and fore-ends (the stocks possibly an early working replacement), gilt-brass mounts comprising side-plates decorated with further scenes from the chase, trigger-guards decorated with a hunter on the bow, butt-plates inscribed with the date and decorated en suite, escutcheons decorated with a stylised coat-of-arms beneath a crown, and three ramrod-pipes, steel sling swivels, horn fore-end caps, horn tipped wooden ramrod (one missing), and retaining some early finish throughout 104.5cm; 41 1/8in barrels (2) A number of guns by this maker from this period and formerly in the Bavarian Ducal collections are preserved in the Bayersichen Nationalmuseum, Munich. See E. Schalkhauser 1988, pp. 189-197.