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Product Details
* EX W. KEITH NEAL COLLECTION
KOLBE, LONDON
A RARE AND HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT 18th CENTURY 38-BORE BARREL RESERVOIR PNEUMATIC AIR RIFLE, no visible serial number,
circa 1735, by John Lawrence or Johann Gottfried Kolbe (Coleby), with signed swamped two-stage sighted 39in. brass barrel (lightly dented toward the muzzle) forming the air reservoir, with raised mouldings and finely engraved at the rear of the breech with a band of acanthus foliage, engraved brass tang with moulded integral back-sight, shaped bevelled lock signed within a rococo cartouche and retaining its safety device (some mild surface pitting), cock and frizzen of flint form (small crack forming on bridle), moulded walnut full stock (well restored with some filled worm) carved in relief with a shell apron around the barrel tang and with acanthus foliage behind the rear ramrod-pipe, finely engraved cast and chased brass mounts including elaborately pierced side-plate engraved 'Regemque Dedit, Qui Foedere Certo Et Premere Et Laxas Sciret Dare Jussus Habenas', large escutcheon engraved with owner's monogram, later ramrod, the air pump housed within the butt and breathing aperture on the right with hinged cover
Provenance: This well documented antique air rifle was formerly part of the renowned W. Keith Neal collection before being sold off in New York in 2005. It can be found featured on pages 470-471 of Neal & Back's publication 'Great British Gunmakers 1540-1740' although is illustrated with an incorrect cock.
The Latin quote on the side plate is from Virgil's Aeneid and can be translated into English as "He gave a king, who by a fixed agreement knew both how to tighten and how to loosen the reins when commanded."
It appears in Book 1, line 63, where it describes the god Aeolus, ruler of the winds. The phrase reflects how Jupiter, the King of the Gods, gave Aeolus the power to manage the winds, knowing when to restrain or release them as necessary
* Please note this item is subject to 5% VAT on the hammer price (UK Buyers only).
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Estimate £7,000-9,000
Pre-1939