Need help in dating my German Hunting Arquebus

Matchlock · 2nd May 2012, 06:05 PM

Hi Jean-Marc,

Eighteenth c. hunting guns are not my main topic but I will have a try at this.

This is a wheellock hunting rifle of common type which actually continued being made almost unchanged for quite some time. The earliest possible date I would assign to your gun is ca. 1720-30, based on the style of the lock engraving.

Georg Friedrich Dünnewald is recorded working from 1742-60. Though actually residing in Friedrichstadt, Saxony, Eastern Germany, he is known to have signed his works 'a Dresde(n)' although he failed to join the Dresden guild.

Thus, we should date your rifle to the mid-18th century.

Best, and have fun with your nice rifle,
Michael

2nd May 2012, 06:05 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Jean-Marc, Eighteenth c. hunting guns are not my main topic but I will have a try at this. This is a wheellock hunting rifle of common type which actually continued being made almost unchanged for quite some time. The earliest possible date I would assign to your gun is ca. 1720-30, based on the style of the lock engraving. Georg Friedrich Dünnewald is recorded working from 1742-60. Though actually residing in Friedrichstadt, Saxony, Eastern Germany, he is known to have signed his works 'a Dresde(n)' although he failed to join the Dresden guild. Thus, we should date your rifle to the mid-18th century. Best, and have fun with your nice rifle, Michael Last edited by Matchlock; 2nd May 2012 at 07:01 PM.