Wheeled Harquebus With Motto

WHEELBUSH WITH DEVISE
European work, 18th century
Steel, wood, brass, horn
T.L.: 92 - L. of barrel: 61cm - Diameter at muzzle: 14mm

Octagonal barrel, slightly blunderbussed, web with six wide sides; brass front sight; brass frog cut, openwork and engraved depicting a soldier with a shield.
Flat-bodied spinning wheel; engraved with a mounted combat scene, foliage and a zoomorphic head; hallmark. The spinning-wheel muffle is brass, engraved with two figures on a branch, each carrying a bow. The forged hammer features a seated figure and a zoomorphic figurine.
The trigger tail is fitted with a hinged safety. The trigger guard with finger rest is brass (certainly later)
The walnut frame is partially carved and decorated with engraved bone plates with blackened backgrounds, including a medallion in gorged horn on the counterplate of a hunter at rest, with his dog and a deer carcass at his side. Also attached to the stock is an engraved brass plate depicting a soldier in arms, holding an engraved medallion: MEN DIE BUCHE KNALLT WEN DER KAMPFURF SCHLLT WEN'S DER KONING GEBERT TRIH SO WIE GEUF (QUAND LE COUP DE POING S'ABAT, QUAND LE COMBAT RÉVOLTE, QUAND LE ROI L'ORDONNE, FAIT-LE COMME IL FAUT) and the initials CH.
On the stock, a bullet reserve is present with its cover. Steel buttplate with button.
Wooden ramrod with a horn tip decorated en suite.

Good overall condition.

Ref.: 7131
Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

This collector's weapon is, according to article L311-2 of the Code de la sécurité intérieure, classified as a collector's weapon, category D. Its acquisition and possession are free.