Stock: Johann Georg Maucher
German, Schwäbisch Gmünd, active 1650-1700
Lock and barrel: Michael Has
Wheellock Rifle of Emperor Leopold I
INV-1087
Stock: Johann Georg Maucher
German, Schwäbisch Gmünd, active 1650-1700
Lock and barrel: Michael Has1664
Wheellock Rifle of Emperor Leopold I
Stock: Johann Georg Maucher German, Schwäbisch Gmünd, active 1650-1700 Lock and barrel: Michael Has →firearm-long gunarms
Date
1664
Medium
Steel, brass, cherrywood, horn, staghorn
Dimensions
H.: 104.2 cm (41 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
George F. Harding Collection
The cheek of the stock is decorated with the double-headed eagle, symbol of the Holy Roman Empire. A portrait of Emperor Leopold I is carved in its center, with the seven electors over the spread wings. This was likely meant to commemorate the emperor’s recent victory over the Ottomans, accomplished with the help of the electors. The rifle was one of a matching pair presented to him. The now lost mate to this gun was carved with the date 1664, the year a peace treaty was signed with the Ottoman sultan.