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Product Details
JAKOB SCHASCHEL (KARLOVAC)
AN ORNATE 16-BORE LEFAUCHEUX PATENT DOUBLE-BARRELLED HAMMERGUN, serial no. 160,
circa 1890, 30 5/8in. nitro reproved damascus barrels (in 2014), the breech ends inlaid with creeping ivy in gold, rose gold and white metal, 2 3/4in. chambers, bored approx. true cyl. in both, Lefaucheux patent forward facing underlever, permanently attached fore-end, carved percussion fences, rebounding back-action locks with dolphin hammers (possible replacements), beaded border and bold scroll engraving, the maker's details gold-inlaid on the lockplates, retaining traces of original finish, double rolled-edge triggerguard with horn semi-pistolgrip, elaborately carved with a wolfs head, 14in. well-figured stock with cheekpiece, sling swivels and steel buttplate, woven leather sling, ornately carved with acanthus scrollwork at the butt, weight 7lb. 2oz.
Provenance: Jakob Schaschel was the eldest of six sons of Janez Schaschl, a gunsmith from Kapla ob Dravi, and Barbara Schaschel, née Schwarz. He learned gunsmithing from his father, who had a gunsmith's workshop in Ljubljana, and furthered his studies with various masters in Austria. Between 1852–54, he accompanied the missionary Ignatius Knoblehar through Africa and described this journey and his stay in Africa in an exceptionally beautifully handwritten book, complete with 34 watercolors, under the title Bilder aus dem Oriente. After his return, he lived in Novo mesto between 1855–57, where he opened a gunsmith's workshop and taught drawing as an optional subject twice a week at the Novo mesto gymnasium. He was the first drawing teacher at this school. From this time, he is also known for copying epitaphs carved in the corridors of the Novo mesto Franciscan monastery. In 1857 he moved to Karlovac, where he also opened a gunsmith's workshop, and he also devoted himself to painting. He was self-taught in painting. He painted altarpieces of saints and historical motifs, portraits, still lifes and landscapes, especially views of Karlovac. He was also an engraver and the owner of a fine numismatic collection.
As a gunsmith who made, decorated and engraved guns, he was famous throughout Austria-Hungary and received 500 gold coins and a special award for a gun presented to Emperor Franz Joseph. He also received several awards and commendations at exhibitions of craft products for his other crafts and paintings. His diary Bilder aus dem Oriente, some gunsmith products and paintings are kept in the city museum in Karlovac, and his paintings are in private and church collections in addition to Croatia, in Bela Krajina and Dolenjska.
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Estimate £600-800
S2 - Sold as a Section 2 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act