Lot 1218

Silesian "Tschinke" Wheellock Sporting Rifle

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Silesian "Tschinke" Wheellock Sporting Rifle

Estimate: $12,000 - $18,000

Starting Bid: $10,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Highly Ornate Brass, Pearl, and Horn Polychrome Inlaid and Engraved Silesian "Tschinke" Wheellock Sporting Rifle This is one of a group of small caliber wheellock rifles with the mechanism on the outside of the lock from in and around Teschen, Silesia, in present day Poland in the mid-17th century. They are believed to have been made for hunting birds and other small game, and are generally incredibly ornate leading to examples being purchased for and displayed in a number of prestigious art museums in the U.S. and Europe. Even though these rifles are generally ornate, this example is especially so and features extensive engraved brass accents, including panels on barrel, the lock, along the stock, and the patchbox lid. The stock also has pearl, green tined staghorn/bone, natural staghorn/bone, dark horn, and brass pins along its length. The swamped barrel has six-groove rifling, a dovetailed brass blade front sight, and empty rear sight dovetail. Among the engraving designs are winged beasts and birds, masks, floral, scroll, and entwining rope patterns. The rifle has a prominent cheek rest, finger groove trigger guard, and adjustable double set triggers.

Manufacturer: European

Model: Wheel Lock

BBL: 37 3/4 inch octagon

Stock: hardwood

Gauge: 33

Finish: bright

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The Tom Lewis Collection
  • Condition: Very good overall with attractive natural aged patina and generally crisp engraving on the brass, mostly bright iron with minor oxidation, a replacement panel over the dog spring, replacement trigger guard, and moderate overall wear including some mild pitting on the lock. The stock is also very good and has mild age and storage related wear, some small cracks and chips along the forfend, minor flakes on a few of the pearl inlays, and somewhat loose patchbox lid. Mechanically untested.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000