Product Details
WILFRIED GLANZNIG
AN EXCEPTIONAL, DEFLORIAN-ENGRAVED 20-BORE / 7X65R SIDELOCK NON-EJECTOR DRILLING, serial no. 53109,
25 1/2in. nitro reproved barrels with raised rib signed in gold script by the maker and with symmetrical floral and scroll flourishes, finely engraved flip-up open sights and ramped bead fore-sight, the breech end mounted with a Zeiss Diavari-ZM 2,5-10x48 T* telescopic sight in finely engraved quickly-detachable mounts, 3in. shot chambers, bored approx. 1/4 and 1/2 choke, the shot barrel extractor with provision for rifle insert cartridge extractor extensions, slim treble-grip action with carved fences and finely carved side bolsters, elongated top tang with sprung shot / ball selector switch, manual side-safety, gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, set front trigger, the action and furniture exquisitely engraved with fine acanthus scrollwork interspersed with fine oak leaf and acorn motifs, the fore-end decorated en suite, the lockplates deeply chiselled with fine woodland game scenes of mouflon and pointer flushing pheasant, the triggerplate signed 'J. Deflorian', old silver finish, 14 3/4in. very highly-figured pistolgrip stock with sculpted cheekpiece, finely engraved steel pistolgrip-cap with a monogram and dedication, finely engraved sling swivels, 1/2in. rubber recoil pad, weight 9lb. 5oz., in a leather case
Provenance: Wilfried Glanznig is regarded by many as the finest gunmaker in Austria, producing work that is the equal of anything else in the world and amassing a loyal following along the way.
He was born 13th January 1943 and began his career, aged 18, when he went to work under Josef Just in Ferlach. He remained with Just until 1975, a spell of fourteen years, when he attained the title of Master Gunmaker. He set-up his own workshop the following year and initially set-about building simple kipplauf and combination rifles with boxlock actions. Two years later he applied himself to the relative complexities of the sidelock, and built a single-trigger ejector drilling.
Since 1982 he has built only 'best' sidelock guns. Glanznig considers the year 2000 to be his zenith when he completed a series of, as he describes, "grand complications" in the form of drillings and vierlings, all with single-triggers and full ejectors.
Joachim Deflorian was commissioned to engrave this and the following Lot.
He was born 31st January in Bozen, Italy and spent his childhood in the Tyrol. Here he showed an artistic bent and drew many fine landscapes; a talent he probably inherited from his grandfather who was an artist and wood-carver of some note.
Deflorian enrolled in the Ferlach School for Handguns in 1959 where he learnt the skills of a gunmaker. Once his military service was at an end he returned to Ferlach and worked as a gunmaker for Josef Hambrusch. He spent a deal of time with Hambrusch observing his brother-in-law, who was the firm's engraver, and decided that this was the path he wished to follow. In order to do this he returned to the gunmaking school for training but remained 'at the bench' for Hambrusch in the afternoon. He was taken under the wing of master engraver, Johann Singer, and once qualified was offered commissions by many of Ferlach's top makers. He has expressed that he considers it an honour to be asked to work for Glanznig.
Other Notes: Two full length 5.6x52R rifle inserts by Keller & Simmann can be made available to the purchaser of this Lot, but they will require proofing before release. One will require the cartridge extractor extension.
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Estimate £25,000-30,000
S1