Collectors set their sights on antique hunting rifle

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Firearms collectors are setting their sights on an antique dreiling gun, which will be going under the hammer at Moore Allen & Innocent’s Sporting Sale in August.

Featuring a 16-bore shotgun set above a rifle, dreiling guns – from the German word drei, meaning three – were popular with hunters and gamekeepers. 

The design allowed the shooter to hunt a wide variety of game, from deer and boar to game birds, choosing the appropriate barrel in a matter of seconds.

Dating from around 1900, the gun was made by the German industrial manufacturing conglomerate Krupp, in Essen.

The metalwork is engraved with a stag and doe, while an ingenious rifle shell compartment built into the walnut stock features an engraving of a spaniel and pheasant in woodland.

The gun, which is described as being in beautiful condition, is expected to achieve between £800 and £1,200.

From a little closer to home, a pair of fishing trophies prepared and displayed in bow fronted glazed cases with verre églomisé glass by J Cooper & Sons – the leading name in piscine taxidermy – are expected to attract significant interest.

A roach, weighing 2lbs 5oz and caught by H Walters at Ringwood in February 1951 is expected to achieve £400 to £500, while a 1lb 12oz grayling, caught by the same fisherman at Fordingbridge in August 1950, should make £300 to £400.

With the shooting and fishing fraternities satisfied, the auctioneers have something for the hunting set too – a silver cased hunting horn shaped table lighter, perhaps used to light cigars after a successful day’s hunting.

The circa 1930 table lighter was manufactured by silversmith Padgett & Braham of Lexington Street, London and retailed by Abercrombie & Fitch in New York. A bid of £200 to £300 should secure the lot.

The auction takes place at the Cirencester Salerooms, Norcote, GL7 5RH from 9.30am on Friday, August 30. For more information log on to www.mooreallen.co.uk

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